The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, made a strong statement this Wednesday regarding the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a resident in the U.S. who was a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University in New York.
“Coming to the United States with a visa is a privilege, not a right. The Trump administration is determined to deny or revoke your visa if you are here to support terrorists,” wrote the Secretary of State on X this Wednesday.
Rubio accompanied his text with a video in which he shared his perspective with a group of journalists on what a visa is, what it represents, and the possibility of even revoking a residency card if it is discovered that the holder of that privilege supports terrorist activities.
"You can be denied (the visa) if you tell us when you apply, 'Hello, I’m trying to enter the United States as a student and I’m a big supporter of Hamas,'" added the head of U.S. diplomacy.
"When you come to the United States as a visitor, which is what a visa is... we can deny you that visa... and if you end up with a green card and you are here participating in those activities, we will deport you," he added.
"It's not about freedom of expression", Rubio said when asked if the weekend arrest of Mahmoud Khalil contradicted President Donald Trump's defense of the right to express opinions in the United States and in Europe.
"These are individuals who, to begin with, have no right to be in the United States", concluded Rubio before reporters at the Irish airport of Shannon, during a stop for refueling after a trip to Saudi Arabia.
Detention of Mahmoud Khalil
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Mahmoud Khalil last weekend. His arrest was made under a state department order to revoke his green card, according to his lawyer.
Khalil, who recently graduated from the aforementioned New York university, was one of the spokespersons for the student movement advocating for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The arrest has sparked protests in the academic world and among human rights advocates in the United States.
However, the Department of Homeland Security stated that it had "carried out activities related to Hamas, considered a terrorist organization."
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that Khalil's arrest was the "first of many"; he added that there were "other students in Columbia and other universities who have been involved in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, and anti-American activities."
A judge halts Khalil's deportation
However, a federal judge in New York temporarily prohibited the Trump administration from deporting Mahmoud Khalil until a hearing scheduled for this Wednesday.
Khalil's case is the most recent in an escalation of measures by the Trump administration to suppress pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses.
His arrest also comes after the U.S. president's promise to deport foreign students involved in "illegal protests" and to imprison the "agitators" participating in political demonstrations.
Defense and reactions to his arrest
Khalil's attorney has reported difficulties in accessing his client, who has been moved to a detention center in Jena, Louisiana. The defense argues that this transfer undermines the court's jurisdiction and limits his contact with family and legal counsel.
Before his arrest, Khalil had sent an email to Columbia's interim president, Katrina Armstrong, requesting legal support.
In his message, he denounced a "dehumanizing campaign of defamation" against him, in which he was falsely labeled as a "terrorist threat."
Legal foundations and opinions on the case
The Trump administration has justified the detention of Khalil based on a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act. According to this law, a foreign national whose presence or activities may have adverse consequences for U.S. foreign policy can be deported.
Legal experts warn that the use of this provision is unusual, especially against a holder of a residency card. Camille Mackler, director of Immigrant ARC, questioned whether due process is being ensured in this case.
"The government is using its power to attack individuals or institutions it disagrees with. In a free society, that should not happen," said Mackler.
For his part, John Sandweg, former acting director of ICE, noted that this law is typically applied in cases where the detainee has lied on their residency application or has proven links to terrorist organizations.
According to Khalil's lawyer, Amy Greer, his arrest is part of a government crackdown on student activism.
"The U.S. government has made it clear that it will use immigration laws as a tool to silence dissent," he concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions about Marco Rubio's statements on visas and the detention of Mahmoud Khalil
Why does Marco Rubio claim that a visa is a privilege and not a right?
Marco Rubio emphasizes that a visa is a privilege because it allows a person to enter the United States under certain conditions, and is not an inherent right. According to Rubio, the Trump administration is determined to deny or revoke visas to those who support terrorist activities.
What led to the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil in the United States?
Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the accusation of engaging in activities related to Hamas, an organization classified as terrorist. The State Department ordered the revocation of his green card due to these allegations.
What measures is the Trump administration taking regarding pro-Palestinian protests at universities?
The Trump administration has intensified measures against foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, such as the case of Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia University. There have been promises to deport foreign students involved in “illegal protests” and to imprison “instigators” who participate in political demonstrations.
What is Marco Rubio's stance on the Cuban regime?
Marco Rubio has been critical of the Cuban regime, calling it a "disaster" and holding it accountable for the crisis on the island. Rubio has made it clear that he will not visit Cuba while the current government remains in power, unless it is to discuss a regime change.
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