Columbia student faces deportation for anti-government protests

In the United States, a hearing was recently held concerning the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University. Along with seven other students, Khalil is trying to prevent the university from releasing their private disciplinary records to a GOP-led House committee. This committee has requested these records, citing several incidents concerning pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, such as a student takeover of Hamilton Hall and protests regarding a lecture by Hillary Clinton. Khalil filed a lawsuit against Columbia and the committee, arguing that their letter aims to suppress free speech at the university. Khalil, an Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent who legally resides in the U.S., was arrested by immigration authorities recently, prompting him to file a separate lawsuit to contest his deportation. The underlying reasons for his detention appear to be linked to his participation in protests against U.S. foreign policy, specifically the war in Gaza. The letter from the House Committee on Education and Workforce threatens Columbia University with losing significant federal funding if the records are not disclosed, thereby escalating tensions surrounding the matter. The case has attracted attention from several lawmakers who advocate for Khalil's release from custody, citing that the government's actions reflect a broader attempt to curtail dissenting voices on university campuses. The attorney representing the plaintiffs argues that the request for records and the possibility of publicizing student identities are meant to intimidate those who wish to express their views. During the court proceedings, the judge expressed concern about whether the identities of the students would be made public and how the committee intended to use this sensitive information. In response to the scrutiny and pressure from the Trump administration, Columbia University has announced various policy changes aimed at addressing the administration’s demands, such as instituting a mask ban at protests and hiring new security personnel. In addition, there have been reported incidents involving other students and faculty facing deportation or being denied re-entry to the U.S. These developments signal an intensified crackdown on international students and those expressing dissenting opinions regarding U.S. policies, raising alarms about the state of free speech and academic freedom in America.