US Targets Columbia Student Over UNRWA Work

The U.S. government has accused Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, of failing to disclose his employment with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on his visa application, arguing it as grounds for deportation. Khalil, a native of Syria and citizen of Algeria, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 8, 2025, with the government citing his involvement with UNRWA and the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group. The case has sparked debates about free speech rights, as Khalil claims he is being targeted for his political activism against U.S. policy on Israel. The Trump administration argues his presence poses foreign policy risks, while his lawyers argue the charges are a form of retaliation. A judge has temporarily halted his deportation while his case proceeds in federal court. The administration maintains Khalil misrepresented facts on his green card application, a charge they claim is not protected by the First Amendment.