Activist's Freedom Halted: The 'Rule of Law' for Palestine Critics
A federal appeals court has reversed a ruling that freed Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil from ICE detention, ensuring he remains a 'prominent figure' not for his organizing, but for his continued legal battle. The Independent notes his arrest by ICE agents in the lobby of his university residence, a heavy-handed tactic usually reserved for individuals deemed 'national security
threats.' One might wonder what specific national security is threatened by a student activist with a visa technicality, especially when the same 'national security' apparatus consistently greenlights arms sales to regimes accused of humanitarian law violations. This case, originating during the Trump administration, demonstrates a remarkable continuity in using immigration enforcement as a tool
to silence dissent, particularly when that dissent targets US foreign policy or its favored allies. While mainstream outlets present this as a straightforward legal matter, it appears, to some, as a convenient tightening of the screws on pro-Palestinian advocacy. It’s almost as if the 'rule of law' bends with more alacrity when the criticism hits too close to powerful lobbying efforts, like those
detailed by OpenSecrets.org, which show hundreds of millions flowing to politicians who then consistently vote for policies that benefit certain foreign interests. (Source: The Independent)