The kidnapping of Mahmoud Khalil on the pretext of fighting antisemitism is just the start of moves to smash all dissent, but major resistance is mounting.
The March arrest of Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil at his doorstep — without warrants or due process — is just the tip of a repression iceberg. He had broken no laws, yet the Trump administration justified his detention, saying his pro-Palestinian activism was “contrary to the interests of the United States.”

Leveling false claims of antisemitism at supporters of Gaza is a tactic spelled out in Project Esther. This plan, created by the right-wing Heritage Foundation, lays out steps to destroy the Palestinian solidarity movement and, ultimately, to crush all dissent against any government policy. 

First, they come for campus protesters …

Alleging that demonstrators are supporters of Hamas, labeled a terrorist group, the government began targeting international students. 

As of late April, 1,900 overseas enrollees at 210 U.S. colleges had their visas revoked by Marco Rubio’s State Department, putting them at risk of being snatched by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deported. Most were involved in Gaza defense. At the University of Michigan, the FBI raided the homes of Palestine solidarity organizers, confiscating laptops and phones. 

Rubio went so far as to revoke permanent residency green cards, as he did with Khalil. In one outrageous case, Columbia University anti-genocide activist Mohsen Mahdawi was detained during his citizenship interview for being “a threat to American foreign policy.”

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services posted, “Coming to America and receiving a visa or green card is a privilege. … If you advocate for violence, endorse or support terrorist activity … you are no longer eligible to stay in the U.S.” 

The State Department widened its net, revoking residency for any green card holder with a violation of the law, even a parking ticket. Public outrage and a slew of lawsuits forced them to reverse some actions. 

A showdown is at hand

The Trump administration is also threatening to cancel billions in funding unless universities outlaw demonstrations, shut down protest groups, expel their students, and close departments, especially those with a Middle East connection. This is pure extortion. 

Some caved in to this intimidation. Columbia University expelled foreign student activists. Florida colleges deputized campus cops to work with ICE. Other schools provided ICE with lists of people to question.

However, many more institutions are resisting. Harvard refused to comply with the government’s demands. In retaliation, Trump froze $2.3 billion in federal research funding. A day later, more than 220 higher education leaders from around the country signed a joint statement condemning this “political interference.”

Faculties at many large colleges have urged their administrations to adopt a mutual defense compact. This includes universities in Indiana and Maryland, as well as Rutgers, Northwestern, and 14 others. The University of Washington gives legal help to those whose visas are cancelled. Academic and graduate student labor unions are urging schools to stand against Trump’s attacks.

Thousands have hit the streets across the U.S. in protest of Mahmoud Khalil’s detention. Jewish students chained themselves to the gates of Columbia University. New encampments and protests are spreading on campuses and at ICE headquarters.

Targeted for free speech

The Trump outfit wants to stop all dissent because it threatens their authoritarian control. 

They started with the most vulnerable, hoping to minimize the outcry. Immigrants, especially when accused of anti-Jewish bigotry, are vulnerable because of today’s rampant xenophobia and Islamophobia. 

It didn’t take long, however, for the Trumpists to expand their assault. Next came Latinos accused of being gang members and deported to a vile Salvadoran prison. Then, their propaganda went after “homegrown terrorists,” that is, U.S. citizens, especially leftists. Trump rails against “Marxist lunatics” for making universities “woke,” reminiscent of the anti-communist Red Scare of the ’50s. 

The government claims that anyone who opposes administration policies or expresses views “contrary to U.S. interests” is not protected by the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. This means that civil liberties can be trampled, and due process dismantled. If they have their way, they would expand executive power to permit arresting — and disappearing — anyone, citizen or permanent resident, based solely on their ideas and beliefs. 

With these would-be fascists, no one is safe. Join protests being held in towns and cities across the country. Support those being targeted. Donate, write letters, join united fronts and resist!

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