Palestinian activist faces deportation, echoes Lennon case

A current debate involves Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who faces deportation. His case brings to mind the historical deportation attempt of John Lennon during Richard Nixon's presidency over 50 years ago. Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and green card holder, led protests supporting Palestine. Former President Donald Trump, in a 2023 campaign event, expressed intentions to revoke visas of foreign students he labels as "radical" and "anti-American." His actions echo Nixon's past use of government agencies to target anti-war movements. In the early 1970s, John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, became targets for Nixon's administration. They had moved to New York from London amidst a focus on anti-war activism. Lennon, a prominent figure for the movement with his song "Give Peace a Chance," posed a political threat as Nixon sought re-election with new voting rights for younger Americans. Nixon's administration attempted to deport Lennon due to a past marijuana arrest. Despite the ruling against him in 1973, Lennon managed to fight back with the help of skilled lawyers. He lived under the stress of potential deportation until 1975, when a court allowed him to stay in the U.S., emphasizing that deportation should not be politically motivated. While both Khalil and Lennon were subjected to political scrutiny, their situations differ significantly. Lennon had wealth and support from influential friends, while Khalil, a student with no criminal record, is being targeted under a lesser-known law that permits deportation for perceived foreign policy risks. Khalil's lawyer argues that his case represents a violation of the First Amendment's rights to dissent. Despite efforts by the Trump administration to counter his legal challenges, a federal court has allowed his case to proceed. Khalil is currently detained in Louisiana as he fights against his deportation.