US Plans Deportation of Foreign Hamas Supporters

The U.S. government has intensified efforts to expel foreign nationals, particularly students, who are suspected of supporting Hamas following recent protests against Israel. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University, was arrested and faces deportation due to his alleged involvement in pro-Hamas demonstrations, including a campus takeover. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the implementation of a 'Catch and Revoke' program that utilizes artificial intelligence to identify and revoke visas of individuals expressing support for terrorist organizations. President Trump and Rubio have both condemned such protests, asserting that these actions threaten national security. Critics raise concerns that the program may infringe on free speech rights, although previous Supreme Court rulings indicate that certain speech related to terrorism may not be protected. The crackdown has led to widespread fear among international students regarding their immigration status and participation in protests.