Progressives have emerged as the most aggressive voices condemning the detention of Palestinian activist and U.S. green card-holder Mahmoud Khalil, arguing that Democrats must unite in denouncing the Trump administration’s move.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Khalil, a recently graduated Master’s student at Columbia University, on Saturday over the administration’s allegations that he supports Hamas despite Khalil being a legal permanent resident who hasn’t been accused of any crime. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration would move to deport additional “Hamas supporters” in the country on visas or green cards.

Influential figures on the left have quickly united behind Khalil’s cause, arguing his detention is a clear violation of free speech and that Democrats must unite on the issue.

“There's never going to be the ideal situation to protest against, but this is one of those moments where a fundamental right is being called into question, and therefore, I think it's imperative that progressives and moderate Democrats speak with one voice,” said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of the progressive group Our Revolution.

The Department of Homeland Security said over the weekend that ICE arrested Khalil “in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism,” alleging that the recent Columbia graduate “led activities aligned to Hamas.” The president on Truth Social said it was “the first arrest of many to come,” likening Khalil and other student protesters to “terrorist sympathizers.”

On Monday, a federal judge halted the government from moving forward with deportation efforts against Khalil before a court hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

In response, progressive voices on Capitol Hill and beyond have been sounding the alarm that the move has free speech and civil rights implications that cross party lines.

Geevarghese called the Trump administration’s move to detain Khalil an “abuse of........

© The Hill