For generations, America has stood apart from the rest of the world as a nation of immigrants—but also a nation of values.

Unlike in Europe, where ethnic and religious minorities often remain socially and politically separate from the broader society, the American model of assimilation has long been based on a simple but powerful expectation: America welcomes newcomers, but they must respect and embrace fundamental principles that define America, such as the rule of law, individual liberty, and democratic governance.

When an immigrant rejects those principles and supports groups that oppose American freedoms, it challenges the very foundation of the nation’s values and legal framework. This is not a theoretical debate — it is unfolding now in the case of Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University activist whom the government is seeking to deport due to his alleged support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.

Khalil’s case is not just about immigration law — it is a test of America’s resolve to enforce obligations that come with permanent residency. The laws and policies are clear: immigrants must adhere to them, and the government, following due process and a legal determination, must enforce them. This is the foundation of what defines America.

From the moment a migrant arrives in the U.S., there is an implicit agreement: the country offers safety, opportunity, and freedoms unmatched in much of the world. In return, those who seek to stay must respect the laws and the basic values of a pluralistic democracy.

America does not demand that immigrants abandon their heritage, religion, or cultural identity — far from it. The country thrives because of its........

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