The Deportation of Mahmoud Khalil Is an Attack on Freedom of Expression and Due Process

Alianza Americas expresses deep concern over the recent decision by an immigration judge in Louisiana, ruling that the Trump administration can deport Mahmoud Khalil—a graduate student at Columbia University and a lawful permanent resident of the United States—because of his political activism. This ruling not only lacks any solid evidence but also represents an alarming violation of due process.

Khalil was detained on March 8, 2025, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and is currently being held in a detention center in Louisiana. The absence of substantive evidence in this case reveals a troubling pattern: the use of the immigration system as a tool of political intimidation. In a democracy, dissent should never be grounds for persecution; it must be protected as a vital part of a free and just society.

Authoritarian movements reject the fundamental principles of constitutional democracy. As a society, we must remain vigilant against indicators that jeopardize the freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution. The use of the outdated immigration system to repress Mahmoud is troubling. The use of the immigration system—based on outdated laws—as a tool to repress Mahmoud Khalil is deeply troubling. This practice not only violates the right to due process, but also poses a danger to all migrants.

Alianza Americas reaffirms our commitment to defending human rights and advancing migrant justice. Freedom of expression and the right to protest are essential pillars of any democracy. Migrant voices will not be silenced!