President Donald Trump has now reportedly announced plans for increased arrests of pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses, following the recent detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia University.
Khalil was taken into custody by ICE agents, who acted on orders from the State Department to revoke his student visa and subsequently his green card.
Trump labeled Khalil a “Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student,” emphasizing the administration’s commitment to cracking down on what he perceives as anti-Semitic and pro-terrorism activities.
In a statement on social media, Trump described Khalil’s arrest as the first of many, asserting that there are more individuals at universities across the country engaged in similar activities.
He claimed that these individuals are not legitimate students but rather “paid agitators” undermining American values. Trump vowed to find, apprehend, and deport these “terrorist sympathizers,” stating that anyone supporting terrorism is not welcome in the U.S.
“…We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country — never to return again. If you support terrorism, including the slaughtering of innocent men, women, and children, your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here. We expect every one of America’s Colleges and Universities to comply. Thank you!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the arrest, framing it as part of Trump’s executive orders aimed at combating anti-Semitism. The agency noted that Khalil had led activities aligned with Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization.
Trump’s comments have intensified the national conversation around freedom of speech and protest on college campuses, as he calls for compliance from educational institutions regarding his administration’s stance on such demonstrations.
This announcement aligns with a broader trend of heightened scrutiny on political activism related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reflecting ongoing tensions in U.S. political discourse. The administration’s actions are likely to set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
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