1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

The Trump administration's arrest and attempted deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, an activist and legal permanent resident of the United States, is a disturbing violation of his constitutionally protected rights to free speech and due process. As a green card holder, Khalil is entitled to the full protections of the law, including the First Amendment right to protest and voice criticism. Deporting him for engaging in peaceful demonstrations against Israel's military actions in Gaza represents an unacceptable attempt to suppress dissent and curtail civil liberties. This appears to be part of a broader campaign by the administration to intimidate pro-Palestinian voices on college campuses under the guise of combating antisemitism. Expressing solidarity with Palestinians and advocating for a ceasefire does not constitute support for terrorism or justify revoking someone's immigration status. Khalil must be immediately released from unlawful detention, his green card reinstated, and his right to reside in the United States and engage in political speech respected without fear of retaliation. The courts should block this obvious violation of Khalil's constitutional rights and rebuke the administration's authoritarian overreach.