Washington - Saba:
The Washington Post warned in an editorial that the case of Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia University, who is facing deportation for participating in demonstrations in solidarity with Gaza, constitutes a serious blow to freedom of expression and the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to the US Constitution.
The newspaper said Thursday evening that Khalil's arrest was not due to his having committed a crime, but rather due to his opinions and statements criticizing the war on Gaza.
It questioned the potential consequences if US President Donald Trump succeeds in fulfilling his pledge to deport him, as announced on his Truth Social platform.
The newspaper emphasized that the current administration may use Khalil's case as a precedent for the persecution and deportation of others due to their political positions.
Khalil, a Palestinian who grew up in Syria, legally entered the United States in 2022 to pursue his studies at Columbia University, but quickly became the target of a political campaign due to his public support for the Palestinian cause.