Jawed Anwar

IN the United States, criticism of the government, military, and state policies is not only tolerated but often encouraged as a hallmark of democracy. However, when it comes to Israel, the same principles of free speech do not seem to apply. Criticizing Israel in America is frequently labeled as "antisemitism," and those who do so risk serious consequences from both the government and institutions.

All of America's proclaimed values—democracy, human rights, free speech, liberty, freedom of expression, justice, equality, rule of law, individual rights, civil liberties, fairness, diversity, tolerance, religious freedom, and human dignity—appear to be disregarded when the subject of Israel arises.

Under the Trump administration, this suppression has escalated, particularly targeting international students who engage in pro-Palestinian activism.

The Case of Mahmoud Khalil

Mahmoud Khalil, a student activist and key negotiator in the 2024 Columbia University pro-Palestinian campus occupations, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 8, 2025. Acting on orders from the State Department, the agents revoked Khalil's student visa. When it was confirmed that Khalil, of Palestinian descent, Syrian nationality, and Algerian citizenship, was a lawful U.S. permanent resident with a green card, officials stated that his residency status would be revoked instead. He was taken to LaSalle Detention Center in Jena, Louisiana.

On March 10, District Judge Jesse Furman intervened, ordering that the Trump administration halt Khalil’s deportation pending judicial review. His detention marks the first publicly known attempt to deport a student for pro-Palestinian activism under President Trump, who has vowed to crack down on individuals he claims promote antisemitism or support Hamas.

There are no criminal charges against Khalil. Instead, the government is citing Section 237(a)(4)(C)(i) of the Cold War-era Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, which allows the U.S. Secretary of State to remove non-citizens deemed "incompatible" with U.S. foreign policy.

This is a modern form of McCarthyism.

The Case of Leqaa Kordia

Leqaa Kordia, another Columbia University student and a Palestinian national, faced a similar fate. She was arrested by ICE agents on March 13, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey, for allegedly overstaying her student visa. Like Khalil’s case, Kordia’s arrest has ignited debates over free speech and immigration policies.

The Case of Ranjani Srinivasan

Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old architect from India and a doctoral student at Columbia University, was another casualty of this crackdown. An active supporter of Palestinian rights and a participant in the anti-genocide student movement, she was forced to self-deport to Canada after the Trump administration revoked her visa.

Srinivasan was set to complete her doctoral program in urban planning in May 2025 when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security accused her of advocating for "violence and terrorism." Shortly after her visa was terminated, Columbia University withdrew her enrollment, effectively ending her academic career in the U.S. She was among hundreds of students arrested during last spring’s protests at Columbia University over the war in Gaza.

A Disturbing Precedent

These cases exemplify a growing intolerance toward pro-Palestinian voices in the United States, particularly among foreign nationals. While America prides itself on free speech, these actions reveal a selective application of such freedoms. The crackdown on student activists underlines a dangerous precedent: that speaking out against Israel can come at the cost of one’s education, residency, and future.

As these students face legal battles and uncertain futures, the question remains: How can a nation that champions democracy and free expression justify silencing those who challenge its foreign policy?

E-mail: asseerah@asseerah.com