Many Muslim students in the United States, especially those involved in last year’s pro-Palestinian protests, are growing increasingly concerned about the Trump administration’s efforts to deport foreign nationals connected to such demonstrations. As the government steps up its crackdown on political activism, these students are turning to the US judicial system in hopes of protecting themselves from deportation.
Their fears were somewhat alleviated this week when a federal judge temporarily blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate. Khalil, a green card holder, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of a broader federal initiative targeting foreign nationals involved in Palestinian solidarity protests. US District Judge Jesse M. Furman issued an order preventing the government from deporting Khalil before a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, affirming that the court’s jurisdiction should be preserved until a decision is made.
Khalil’s arrest is part of the Trump administration’s effort to curb political activism, particularly related to the pro-Palestinian movement. Many students are now voicing their concerns about the potential for similar actions against them, with some expressing hope that the courts will intervene to protect their rights.
At the Turkish Diyanet Centre in Maryland, a hub for local Muslim students, the atmosphere is tense. Tazeen, a student, reflected the collective fear: “They are afraid, but they hope the American judicial system will protect them.” While no one in the group admitted to receiving deportation notices, the fear of being targeted is palpable. “Nobody wants to be deported,” said Yunus, a student who chose not to disclose his full name. “We hope the courts will help us.”
Amid the fear, students are rallying for support. On Tuesday, dozens of students and faculty from the University of Chicago gathered to show solidarity with Khalil, joining similar protests in New York. An online petition demanding Khalil’s release has garnered over 500,000 signatures, urging US agencies and universities to intervene.
Despite these efforts, the Trump administration has intensified its stance, launching a “Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism,” which has visited several prominent universities, including Columbia, George Washington, and Harvard. Additionally, an ‘AI-fueled Catch and Revoke’ initiative has been introduced to cancel visas of foreign nationals allegedly supporting Hamas, further fueling fears among students involved in political protests.
President Trump has publicly endorsed ICE’s actions, referring to Khalil as a “radical foreign pro-Hamas student” and warning that similar actions will be taken against other students involved in what he calls “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity.”
The move is also accompanied by an increase in anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported a record number of such incidents in 2024, with 8,658 complaints filed, marking a 7.4% rise from the previous year.
Meanwhile, students at the University of Connecticut have voiced their opposition to proposed hate-speech legislation, fearing it could increase surveillance and heighten tensions between students and law enforcement. Reem Saood, a member of the university’s Muslim Student Association, warned that the bill could create a “culture of fear, intimidation, and censorship.”
As concerns grow over the future of political activism, Muslim students across the country continue to seek legal protections and hope for a more just and fair judicial response.
