1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and outrage regarding the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student and activist, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I urge you to condemn this unjust action and demand Mahmoud's immediate release. As reported in The Washington Post, Mahmoud was arrested and detained by ICE despite having a valid visa and being enrolled at Columbia University. His lawyer has stated that Mahmoud's detention is a clear case of profiling and targeting based on his nationality and activism. Mahmoud's stance and activism for Palestine and Palestinians do not make him a "Hamas supporter" as President Trump would like to say. It is essential to recognize that advocating for Palestinian rights and freedom does not equate to supporting any particular group or ideology. If Mahmoud can be wrongfully detained by ICE because of his activism, then I can only ask who will be next. This needs to be stopped now before it's too late. The arbitrary detention of individuals based on their political beliefs or activism is a alarming trend that undermines the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and assembly. I hope you will join me in speaking out against this injustice and advocating for Mahmoud's release. It is crucial that we stand together against such blatant violations of human rights and defend the principles of justice, equality, and freedom.