DOJ Accuses Mahmoud Khalil of Concealing UNRWA Ties on Visa Application

The Trump administration has accused Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and recent Columbia University graduate, of hiding his affiliations with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other organizations while applying for a green card. Khalil allegedly failed to disclose his employment with UNRWA and his role in the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, which has been involved in anti-Israel protests. The Department of Justice contends that these omissions constitute fraud and provide grounds for his deportation, despite Khalil's legal team arguing that his activism is protected under the First Amendment. Khalil was detained by ICE on March 8, and a judge has temporarily halted his deportation pending further proceedings. The case has sparked a national debate about free speech rights on college campuses and the implications of the allegations against him. The administration's assertions have been met with skepticism, given the lack of evidence tying Khalil to terrorism or presenting a security threat to the United States.