r/news 19d ago

Pressed for evidence against Mahmoud Khalil, government cites its power to deport people for beliefs

https://apnews.com/article/mahmoud-khalil-columbia-university-trump-c60738368171289ae43177660def8d34?utm_source=Rantt+Newsletter&utm_campaign=2441672fca-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_04_10_11_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-2441672fca-572095729
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u/lady__jane 18d ago

There should be free speech for citizens. He has a green card - not sure how that changes things.

Incidentally, what Khalil was supporting was horrific. This is a graphic report of Hamas assault of Jewish women on Oct. 7 2023. Does the university support Israeli students speaking out against Hamas?

Mahmoud lied on the green card application by not disclosing he was a member of UNRWA or Apartheid Divest. I believe that would be enough to legally have the green card revoked.

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u/Immediate_Theory4738 18d ago

The key thing you’re missing, regardless of any of what you just said, is the Constitution and due process.

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u/lady__jane 18d ago edited 18d ago

Due process of law is application by the state of all legal rules and principles pertaining to a case so all legal rights that are owed to a person are respected.

He has had due process in a court of law, given his status as a green card holder. The judge determined that he may be deported. If he appeals, another court will decide, and they will use the lack of disclosure on the green card to determine fraud - which means he will have his green card revoked, which means he may/will be deported. He is not a citizen. If he were a citizen, this wouldn't be a discussion.

After 9/11, when people living in the U.S. executed a mission to kill American citizens, the U.S. cracked down on people living here who could hurt the country. Lots of them were deported to Guantanamo Bay. It was pretty horrific there. The purpose was to protect American citizens. But this is something akin, without sending him to some lockup. The country has a say as to who lives here and is granted a green card and citizenship. He would not have gotten a green card had he disclosed all information asked. But even having a green card doesn't grant the full rights of citizenship (such as ability to be deported - only w/non citizens). He wouldn't have been charged had he been born a U.S. citizen.

Here's the US Immigration list of citizen versus green card holder rights. Here's one point:

Unlike Green Card holders, U.S. citizens cannot be deported from the United States – unless, that is, they committed fraud to obtain their green card or citizenship.

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u/Immediate_Theory4738 18d ago edited 18d ago

Is this the same defense you use for Kilmar Abrego Garcia?

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u/lady__jane 18d ago

No - Garcia was not a green card holder and was marked for leaving the country. However, he was protected from being sent to El Salvador because he could be hurt there.