1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

Our nation's founding principles uphold the right to freedom of speech and expression, which are cornerstones of a free society. The arrest of student activist Mahmoud Khalil for his involvement in protests at Columbia University raises grave concerns about infringement on these fundamental liberties. As citizens, we must safeguard the ability to voice dissent and criticize government policies without fear of retaliation or deportation. Khalil, a green card holder, was apprehended by ICE agents despite having committed no crime—his only offense being the peaceful exercise of his First Amendment rights. This appears to be an alarming case of the government wielding its power to silence opposing viewpoints on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Such actions undermine our democratic values and set a dangerous precedent for curtailing civil liberties. I urge you to call for Khalil's immediate release and a halt to these unconstitutional arrests targeting student activists. We cannot allow criticism of foreign policy decisions to be criminalized or punished through deportation threats. Protecting robust public discourse, even on controversial issues, is essential for maintaining a vibrant democracy. I implore you to defend Khalil's rights and those of all Americans to freely express their beliefs without retribution from the state.