The legality of removing U.S. citizens, a question posed to the government, is addressed: It is legally impossible to deport U.S. citizens. While President Trump has publicly and privately discussed the “potential” deportation of citizens, this refers solely to violent, repeat offenders. Therefore, no U.S. citizens are subject to removal based on current law.
A University of Minnesota graduate business student was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without prior notice to the university. State and local officials, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Governor Tim Walz, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, are demanding answers from federal authorities regarding the student’s detention. The university is providing legal aid and support to the student, whose name and nationality remain undisclosed. The detention is viewed by some as part of a broader crackdown on international students, prompting protests and raising concerns about due process violations.
Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) attempted to detain a healthcare worker at H.D. Cooke Elementary School in Washington, D.C., prompting concern among parents and school staff. While the agents left without making an arrest and DHS claims the presence was unrelated to enforcement, DCPS followed protocol by requesting identification and a warrant. The incident heightened anxieties within the school community, particularly regarding the impact on immigrant families, leading to community support efforts and calls for increased clarity and guidance from school officials. Advocates are providing resources to help immigrant families navigate potential future encounters with federal agents.
Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, was unexpectedly detained by DHS agents while meeting friends for iftar. Video footage shows her being handcuffed and having her phone confiscated by unidentified officers. Although Ozturk holds a valid student visa, the government alleges she engaged in activities supporting Hamas, resulting in her visa termination. A judge has ordered the government to justify her detention and prevent her transfer outside Massachusetts.
The US deported a French scientist after immigration officials discovered text messages on his phone that were critical of Donald Trump. The officials, according to reports, deemed these messages potentially “terroristic,” leading to the scientist’s denial of entry and subsequent deportation. This incident raises serious concerns about freedom of speech and the potential for political persecution under the guise of national security.
This action appears to directly contradict the principles of free speech, a cornerstone of American democracy, and also undermines the rights of non-citizens. The fact that a scientist, visiting for a space conference, was subjected to such scrutiny based solely on his political views suggests a troubling level of overreach.… Continue reading
Jewish Voice for Peace staged a protest at Trump Tower to denounce the arrest and potential deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist. Ninety-eight protesters were arrested for trespassing and related charges after refusing to leave. Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident, faces deportation despite having no criminal charges and his wife being an American citizen. President Trump has stated Khalil’s arrest is the first of many targeting students engaging in what he deems “pro-terrorist” activities.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, was illegally detained and disappeared by ICE agents acting on Trump’s orders. His arrest, following the revocation of his green card, is a blatant violation of his constitutional rights and directly linked to his activism against the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The administration’s actions represent a calculated test of its power, exploiting the lack of substantial response from Columbia University and the Democratic Party. This incident highlights a dangerous precedent, signaling potential for future politically motivated disappearances and further erosion of civil liberties.
The CIVICUS Monitor has added the United States to its watchlist, citing a narrowing of civic space under the Trump administration. This designation reflects concerns over assaults on democratic norms, significant cuts to foreign aid, crackdowns on diversity initiatives, and intimidation tactics chilling dissent. While acknowledging some freedoms remain, CIVICUS points to government actions restricting free speech and press access, including instances of censorship and press pool manipulation. The White House rejects this assessment, but the “narrowed” classification reflects ongoing challenges to fundamental rights and freedoms.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has accessed license plate reader data from Westchester County, New York, despite the county’s sanctuary city laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This data, collected from a network of hundreds of cameras, provides ICE with information on individuals’ movements, potentially undermining sanctuary city protections. The sharing of this data with ICE, and other federal agencies like the FBI and DEA, creates a vast surveillance network across the US, raising concerns about privacy violations and the potential for widespread tracking of individuals. Experts argue this mass surveillance contradicts the spirit of sanctuary city policies and raises serious civil liberty concerns.
The arrest of Khalil, a green card holder and Columbia University student activist, by ICE has sparked outrage. Authorities initially claimed his student visa was revoked, then later his green card, denying him access to legal counsel. This action, critics argue, represents a tyrannical abuse of power, undermining constitutional rights and jeopardizing the freedoms of all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. The lack of warrant and reason for Khalil’s detention raises serious concerns about due process.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood