ALBAWABA - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is under fire across social media after responding harshly to the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist, and student who led the pro-Palestine Columbia University protests against the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
Rubio took to Musk's X (formerly known as Twitter) and threatened to revoke "the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported." The US Secretary of State faced backlash from users on the platform who accused him of violating freedom of speech and imposing censorship.
Mahmoud Khalil arrested, Marco Rubio threatens to revoke 'Hamas supporters' green cards
ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) arrested Mahmoud Khalil who was a graduate student at the time inside his university-owned apartment on Saturday. Several Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered his apartment and detained him, as reported by AP.
Amy Greer, Khalil's attorney told AP that she contacted one of the ICE agents by phone who claimed acting on orders from the State Department who added that they will be revoking Mahmoud Khalil's student visa. When Greer told them that Khalil possessed a green card, the agent said that they would revoke that instead.
This comes amid US President Donald Trump's administration's efforts to detain and deport student activists. Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson also said that the arrest was made "in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism."
Several social media users on Musk's X expressed their concern about the matter, claiming that it violates US citizens' freedom of speech and "Breaching the First Amendment."
One social media user wrote, "The first amendment of free speech of what makes America the great nation it is is no more?"
Another added, "So @marcorubio America is really not the land of the free. At least not free speech. Deporting people who protested for Palestine doesn’t make them pro Hamas. Yet you all are treating them as if they are. That goes against the First Amendment!"
On the contrary, several others defended Marco Rubio's stance about the incident. An X user wrote in response, "Can we pre deport by not allowing any into the country in the first place?"
Another stated further, "Absolutely agree with this approach. It's crucial to ensure that our values and safety are protected. Taking a strong stance sends a clear message."
