1. United States
2. S.C.
3. Letter

The arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil by immigration authorities raises serious concerns about the protection of free speech rights. As a student at Columbia University, Khalil played a prominent role in protests advocating for Palestinian rights. While the government alleges his activities were aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, he has not been charged with any crimes. Deporting a lawful permanent resident solely for expressing political views sets a dangerous precedent that undermines fundamental free speech protections in this country. The ability to voice dissent and criticize government policies, even unpopular ones, is a core democratic principle. Targeting activists based on their beliefs risks chilling expression on campus and in the public sphere. This harsh action against Khalil appears retaliatory and intended to suppress pro-Palestinian activism and speech that the administration disagrees with. Dissenting voices, regardless of their viewpoint, should be able to participate in peaceful protests without fear of such severe consequences as deportation from their home. Protecting robust debate from government overreach is essential to maintaining a free society. The lack of due process concerns in Khalil's case are also troubling. Immigration officials have not disclosed his current whereabouts or provided clear legal justification for his detention as a green card holder. Deporting individuals without affording them fair proceedings and the opportunity to contest the allegations violates basic principles of justice and human rights. I urge you to speak out against this apparent attempt to stifle free expression through intimidation tactics. Defending the rights of activists like Khalil to voice their beliefs is critical for upholding the First Amendment protections that safeguard all of our civil liberties. Dissent must be fostered, not crushed through the heavy-handed actions we are witnessing.