A new political firestorm is brewing as Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and more than a dozen Democrat lawmakers demand the immediate release of a Columbia University protest leader who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The activist, Mahmoud Khalil, was taken into custody over the weekend for leading anti-Israel demonstrations on campus, sparking outrage among progressive lawmakers.
Lawmakers Call for ICE Detainee’s Release
In a strongly worded letter to Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem, Tlaib and her colleagues criticized the Trump administration for Khalil’s detention, calling it an attack on free speech and political expression.
“I’m joining 13 of my colleagues to demand that the Trump Administration immediately releases Mahmoud Khalil. Their illegal actions set a dangerous precedent. We cannot allow them to shred our constitutional rights to free speech and due process. Free Mahmoud Khalil,” Tlaib wrote on X, attaching a copy of the letter.
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Progressives Rally Behind Protest Leader
Khalil’s arrest has turned him into a symbol of resistance for the left, fueling accusations that the Trump administration is targeting political dissidents. Some progressive figures argue that Khalil is being unfairly punished as a Palestinian rights activist.
“We must be extremely clear: this is an attempt to criminalize political protest and a direct assault on freedom of speech in America,” Tlaib and fellow progressive lawmakers wrote. “Khalil’s arrest is an act of anti-Palestinian discrimination aimed at silencing the Palestinian solidarity movement.”
The lawmakers further accused President Trump of using Khalil as an example, warning that this could be the first of many arrests targeting those who oppose his policies. “President Trump has threatened that ‘this is the first arrest of many to come,’ and if left unchecked, this authoritarian approach will be applied to any and all opposition to his administration’s agenda,” they added.
Demands for Immediate Action
Tlaib and her co-signers have called for Khalil to be freed immediately, labeling him a political prisoner who is being “wrongfully and unlawfully detained.” They also urged universities across the country to take a stand against what they describe as a crackdown on free thought and expression.
Among those backing the letter are Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), who are vocal members of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing. The letter also received support from Rep. Al Green (D-TX), who made headlines recently for his heated confrontation with Trump during a joint session of Congress.
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Tlaib’s Controversial Stance on National Security
This is not the first time Tlaib has sparked controversy over national security issues. She recently stood alone in opposing a bill designed to crack down on drug and human smuggling tunnels used by Mexican cartels at the southern border, once again drawing criticism from both Republicans and moderate Democrats.
As the debate over Khalil’s detention intensifies, it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will bow to pressure from progressive lawmakers—or if this case will become another flashpoint in the ongoing battle over free speech, immigration, and national security.
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