1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

The detention and threatened deportation of Mahmoud Khalil is a direct attack on free speech rights enshrined in the First Amendment. As a lawful permanent resident, Khalil is entitled to the same constitutional protections as U.S. citizens, including the right to voice criticism and protest government policies. Attempting to deport Khalil solely due to his activism and pro-Palestinian views is a clear violation of his civil liberties and sends a chilling message that dissenting voices will be silenced through intimidation tactics. Such actions undermine America's core democratic values and constitutional guarantees. The Trump administration's crackdown on campus protests against Israel's policies is an overreach of executive power that threatens to erode fundamental freedoms. Khalil has not been convicted of any crime; he is being targeted for expressing views the government disagrees with. This is unacceptable in a free society. I urge you to speak out forcefully against this injustice and uphold Mahmoud Khalil's right to free speech as a legal U.S. resident. Deporting him for his beliefs would do lasting damage to America's commitment to civil liberties.