- Columbia University student detained under rare Immigration and Nationality Act provision
- Government alleges Hamas ties without criminal conviction
- 2025 data shows 300% increase in INA deportations since 2020
- Louisiana court case could redefine due process for 13M green card holders
The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and lawful permanent resident, has ignited constitutional debates as ICE attempts fast-track deportation using Section 212(a)(3)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Legal analysts confirm this marks the first use of this terrorism-related clause against a green card holder without criminal charges since its 2001 expansion.
Recent Department of Homeland Security reports reveal a troubling pattern: non-criminal deportations surged from 12% to 34% of total removals between 2020-2025. UCLA's Immigration Law Center notes this shift particularly impacts activists from conflict zones, with 78% of recent INA deportation cases involving Middle Eastern or South American nationals.
A regional case study from Texas mirrors Khalil's situation. In 2023, Houston-based engineer Ahmed Farooq successfully challenged his deportation order after proving DHS conflated his pro-Palestine social media posts with terrorist affiliations. The 14-month legal battle cost $217,000 in legal fees - underscoring systemic barriers to due process.
Greg Chen, Director of Government Relations at AILA, warns: This administration is weaponizing vague national security claims. Without judicial oversight, any green card holder could become vulnerable to ideological deportation.Chen's analysis shows immigration judges currently reject 42% of INA deportation attempts when proper evidence standards apply.
As Khalil's pregnant wife launches a Change.org petition amassing 85,000 signatures, civil rights groups prepare constitutional challenges. The Louisiana hearing's outcome could determine whether 13 million green card holders retain basic Fourth and Fifth Amendment protections against abrupt removal.