1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

We cannot stand idle while the fundamental rights of lawful U.S. permanent residents are trampled upon. Mahmoud Khalil's detention by ICE represents a flagrant violation of his First Amendment right to free speech and Fifth Amendment right to due process. As a green card holder, he is afforded the same constitutional protections as any U.S. citizen. His arrest appears to be a blatant act of retaliation for engaging in lawful protest activity at Columbia University, where he advocated for Palestinian rights. Dissent is a cornerstone of democracy, not grounds for persecution. Khalil's arbitrary detention sends a chilling message that criticism of U.S. policies will not be tolerated. This assault on civil liberties cannot stand. I urge you to condemn ICE's egregious overreach and ensure Mahmoud Khalil is immediately released from unlawful custody. Failure to do so will embolden further curtailment of constitutional freedoms and accelerate our nation's descent into authoritarianism. We must remain a nation of laws and preserve the sacred liberties enshrined in our founding documents.