Pro- and anti-war statements on the seizure of Mahmoud Khalil by ICE

Sent out in early evening March 10th:

ADC Statement on the Detainment of  Mahmoud Khalil

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) strongly condemns ICE’s arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian activist and legal U.S. permanent resident, in an extreme and blatant act of political retaliation for his First Amendment-protected advocacy. Khalil led negotiations between school officials and students during last year’s campus encampments protesting Israel’s genocide in Palestine. His arrest comes as the U.S. government cancels visas and  President Trump pushes to reinstate a so-called “Muslim travel ban,” signaling a troubling resurgence of discriminatory immigration policies.   ADC unequivocally condemns any action by law enforcement or immigration authorities that infringes upon the First Amendment rights of individuals, particularly when such actions are motivated by political views or peaceful advocacy. In a democracy, no one should have to fear detention or harassment for exercising free expression, regardless of how contentious or critical the viewpoints expressed may be.   Our democracy was founded on freedom of speech – not the suppression of it. It is imperative that our elected officials take a stand against this attack on our freedoms. Click the button below to let your Members of Congress know to put pressure on these government agencies.

Contact your Congressperson NOW to oppose this attack on freedom of speech!

Recent visa cancellations are being carried out under the shadow of renewed efforts to institute travel restrictions disproportionately affecting Muslim-majority countries. Such a shift in policy threatens to reinforce patterns of profiling and discriminatory targeting—particularly against Arabs, Muslims, and Palestinians—on the basis of their national origin, religion, and political activism. The potential reintroduction of any form of “Muslim ban” would further erode trust in our nation’s commitment to equality under the law and would likely embolden additional abuses.   What is happening to Mr. Khalil goes against the First Amendment rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. In a time that demands robust public discourse, any infringement on free speech—especially under the pretense of national security or immigration policy—undermines our democratic values.    ADC calls for the immediate release of Mr. Khalil and anyone detained solely for exercising protected political expression or because of discriminatory visa policies, and urges lawmakers to reject the troubling attack on our rights.    Our democracy relies on citizens to partake in civic engagement. Click the link below and demand your Congressperson stand for the rights of Mr. Khalil and all Americans.

Take action for Mahmoud Khalil!

If you are an attorney who is interested in volunteering your time and providing legal support to students, please submit your information here.   The ADC Legal Department is available to provide private know your rights sessions, and consultations to student groups. If you are a student group interested in learning more, please send an email to legal[at adc org]

About ADC The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the U.S., founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk.  ADC’s mission is to defend and promote the human rights, civil rights, and liberties of at least 3.7 million Arab Americans residing in the United States. Through its work, ADC fights discrimination in the U.S., enhances public understanding of Arab history and culture, and partners with marginalized communities globally to advance social justice.   Our work is not possible without your support. Consider making a contribution to ADC today.

Sent out March 13th, early in the morning, title in all caps:  www.counterextremism.com/press/counter-extremism-project-applauds-president-trump-and-secretary-rubio-decisive-action

COUNTER EXTREMISM PROJECT APPLAUDS PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SECRETARY RUBIO FOR DECISIVE ACTION AGAINST HAMAS SUPPORTER MAHMOUD KHALIL Immigration and Nationality Act Provisions are Clear Basis For Khalil’s Deportation. Broader Authorities Regarding Antisemitism and Its Incitement Must Be Strengthened.

(New York, NY) – Counter Extremism Project (CEP) CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace issued the following statement regarding Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born Palestinian pro-Hamas agitator and Columbia University graduate student at the vanguard of antisemitic demonstrations on campus in New York. Now detained in Louisiana, Khalil was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 8 and is subject to deportation.   The Immigration and Nationality Act [INA 8 USC § 1227] allows for—in fact, requires—the deportation of an alien, including non-permanent residents such as Khalil, whose activities in the country the Secretary of State reasonably believes potentially adversely affects U.S. foreign policy. Secretary Rubio has already indicated as much, and we applaud both him and President Trump for their action in recognizing the gravity of this issue and taking these decisive steps.   In addition, under current US immigration law, a non-US citizen is deportable for engaging in terrorist activities, which includes “endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support terrorist organization.” While all individuals in the US are covered by the First Amendment, Right to Free Speech, a non-US citizen cannot use free speech as a shield to deportation. Lawful permanent residents who actively support terrorist organizations such as Hamas, and who actively celebrate and encourage atrocities like October 7 should not expect anything less than that the US government will seek to bar or remove them from continuing to live in the US.   This case also highlights once more the importance of defining antisemitic agitation as a separate ground for removal under INA. Organized, public and sustained antisemitic agitation regularly leads to violence against Jews, as demonstrated by the violent online and offline threats as well as actual violence that many Jewish students have experienced at U.S. campuses since October 2023. Such agitation is not a question of protected speech under the First Amendment, but amounts in practice to incitement to violence.   The case of Khalil further demonstrates an obvious gap in the current definition of “material support” under 18 U.S. Code § 2339A. Not only did Khalil openly and repeatedly glorify the actions of Hamas, designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) since 1997— but also propagated for them. This allowed Hamas to reach into the student population of Columbia University, effectively strengthening the group. Here too, First Amendment protections need not apply. Propaganda is a key instrument through which terror groups are able to radicalize, recruit and incite members and supporters. Thus, being a willing and active participant in propaganda should therefore be considered “material support” and carry the same legal consequences as sending financial support to an FTO.   The First Amendment is being regrettably abused and weaponized by virulently anti-American and antisemitic bad actors. Throughout campuses, many students from around the world are joining our most prestigious universities simply to radicalize others and incite antisemitic hatred, while learning and education are secondary concerns. Indeed, Khalil appears to be following in the footsteps of other U.S.- college educated terrorists including Anwar al-Awlaki and Sayyed Qutb. This must end.     Click here to read CEP’s report on the Hamas terrorist group.

[Reposting:

COUNTER EXTREMISM PROJECT APPLAUDS PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SECRETARY RUBIO FOR DECISIVE ACTION AGAINST HAMAS SUPPORTER MAHMOUD KHALIL

Immigration and Nationality Act Provisions are

Clear Basis For Khalil’s Deportation.

Broader Authorities Regarding Antisemitism

and Its Incitement Must Be Strengthened.

(New York, NY) – Counter Extremism Project (CEP) CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace issued the following statement regarding Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born Palestinian pro-Hamas agitator and Columbia University graduate student at the vanguard of antisemitic demonstrations on campus in New York. Now detained in Louisiana, Khalil was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 8 and is subject to deportation.

The Immigration and Nationality Act [INA 8 USC § 1227] allows for—in fact, requires—the deportation of an alien, including non-permanent residents such as Khalil, whose activities in the country the Secretary of State reasonably believes potentially adversely affects U.S. foreign policy. Secretary Rubio has already indicated as much, and we applaud both him and President Trump for their action in recognizing the gravity of this issue and taking these decisive steps.

In addition, under current US immigration law, a non-US citizen is deportable for engaging in terrorist activities, which includes “endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support terrorist organization.” While all individuals in the US are covered by the First Amendment, Right to Free Speech, a non-US citizen cannot use free speech as a shield to deportation. Lawful permanent residents who actively support terrorist organizations such as Hamas, and who actively celebrate and encourage atrocities like October 7 should not expect anything less than that the US government will seek to bar or remove them from continuing to live in the US.

This case also highlights once more the importance of defining antisemitic agitation as a separate ground for removal under INA. Organized, public and sustained antisemitic agitation regularly leads to violence against Jews, as demonstrated by the violent online and offline threats as well as actual violence that many Jewish students have experienced at U.S. campuses since October 2023. Such agitation is not a question of protected speech under the First Amendment, but amounts in practice to incitement to violence.

The case of Khalil further demonstrates an obvious gap in the current definition of “material support” under 18 U.S. Code § 2339A. Not only did Khalil openly and repeatedly glorify the actions of Hamas, designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) since 1997— but also propagated for them. This allowed Hamas to reach into the student population of Columbia University, effectively strengthening the group. Here too, First Amendment protections need not apply. Propaganda is a key instrument through which terror groups are able to radicalize, recruit and incite members and supporters. Thus, being a willing and active participant in propaganda should therefore be considered “material support” and carry the same legal consequences as sending financial support to an FTO.

The First Amendment is being regrettably abused and weaponized by virulently anti-American and antisemitic bad actors. Throughout campuses, many students from around the world are joining our most prestigious universities simply to radicalize others and incite antisemitic hatred, while learning and education are secondary concerns. Indeed, Khalil appears to be following in the footsteps of other U.S.- college educated terrorists including Anwar al-Awlaki and Sayyed Qutb. This must end.

Click here to read CEP’s report on the Hamas terrorist group.

The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is a nonprofit and non-partisan international policy organization working to combat the growing threat posed by extremist ideologies.

CEP depends on the generosity of its supporters. If you value what we do, please consider making a donation.

[This is the 905th post on DS.]