Deportation of U.S. Students for Protesting

Key cases & developments

• A student at Columbia University, Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was arrested by U.S. immigration agents and placed in deportation proceedings after his campus activism (pro‑Palestinian protests).


• Another student, Yunseo Chung, a junior at Columbia and a U.S. permanent resident, is also facing deportation for protest‑related conduct according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).


• It’s reported that hundreds to over a thousand international students have had their visas revoked or been placed at risk, especially linked to campus protests about the Israel‑Gaza war.


• Private groups and alumni networks are reportedly contributing to this by tracking and reporting students who participated in protests for possible deportation.


• A major executive order, Executive Order 14188 (signed Jan 29, 2025) by Donald Trump, aimed at combating antisemitism on campuses, included targeting “alien students and staff” for monitoring and possible action.

Why this matters

• Freedom of speech & assembly: These actions raise serious questions about whether non‑citizen students are being penalised for political expression, protest, or campus activism. Groups like Human Rights Watch say the crackdown is "an attack on free speech and threaten[s] the very foundations of a free society."


• Due process & equal protection: Some students are facing visa revocations, detention, or deportation without clear charges, criminal convictions, or transparent process. Amnesty International and other human‑rights organisations have issued alerts.


• Impact on higher education & global students: International students are increasingly worried that participation in protest or even social‑media commentary might jeopardise their stay in U.S. universities.


• Policy precedent & chilling effect: If students fear protest = deportation, that may deter valid political expression, especially from non‑citizen communities, raising broader concerns about academic freedom and civil liberties.