The recent arrest and potential deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student at ColumbiaUniversity, have sparked significant discussions regarding the rights of legal immigrants in the United States. Khalil, a lawful permanent resident, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 8, 2025, following his involvement in pro-Palestinian campus protests.
Khalil’s detention has raised concerns about the balance between national security measures and the protection of free speech rights. The Trump administration alleges that Khalil’s activities were aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, thereby justifying his arrest under specific provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Critics argue that this action sets a concerning precedent for suppressing political dissent and targeting individuals based on their activism. The case underscores the potential vulnerabilities of legal immigrants, including green card holders, to deportation on grounds that may intersect with their exercise of constitutional rights.
While lawful permanent residents (green card holders) have the right to live and work in the U.S., they can be deported under certain circumstances, particularly if convicted of specific crimes or deemed a threat to national security. Grounds for deportation include aggravated felonies, crimes of moral turpitude, drug offenses, and activities related to terrorism. The INA outlines these deportable offenses, emphasizing that legal status does not provide absolute protection against removal from the country.
Legal experts in Los Angeles express concern over the implications of Khalil’s case. Professor Laura Gómez, an expert in immigration law at UCLA, notes that “utilizing national security grounds to detain lawful permanent residents based on their political activities poses a significant challenge to civil liberties.” She emphasizes the importance of ensuring that actions taken in the name of security do not infringe upon fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and assembly.
Similarly, Angelica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) in Los Angeles, warns that “targeting individuals for their activism sends a chilling message to immigrant communities and can deter lawful expression and participation in civic life.” She advocates for clear guidelines to protect individuals from potential abuses of power under the guise of national security.
Naturalized U.S. citizens generally enjoy the same rights as native-born citizens, including protection against deportation. However, in rare cases, naturalized citizens can be subjected to denaturalization, which is the process of revoking citizenship. Grounds for denaturalization include fraud or misrepresentation during the naturalization process, affiliation with certain prohibited organizations within five years of naturalization, or other activities that would have originally barred them from citizenship. Once denaturalized, individuals may become deportable. It’s important to note that denaturalization is a complex legal process and is not commonly pursued.
Mahmoud Khalil’s case highlights the delicate balance between national security and individual rights, illustrating that even lawful permanent residents can face deportation under specific circumstances. The situation serves as a critical reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting civil liberties while addressing security concerns.
Trump Administration Seeks to Expel a Green-Card Holder Over Student Protests
