Democrats and liberals are outraged over the recent deportations of academics and individuals tied to universities, claiming these actions target those who disagree with President Trump. In reality, however, these deportations stem from violations of residency terms, such as participating in or encouraging violent protests.
Critics also decry the use of plainclothes officers for arrests and the lack of jury trials in these cases. Yet, it’s entirely legal for plainclothes officers to make arrests, and in the United States, visa or residency revocation doesn’t always require a trial. The process hinges on the violation’s nature, the individual’s immigration status, and the applicable legal framework.
Several high-profile cases in early 2025 illustrate how academics and university-affiliated individuals violated their residency terms, leading to deportations under the Trump administration. These incidents, often linked to protest activities, highlight the administration’s strict enforcement of immigration rules. Below are key examples and the specific ways these individuals breached their visa or residency conditions:
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian green card holder and recent Columbia University graduate, was a prominent organizer of pro-Palestinian protests in 2024. Arrested by ICE on March 8, 2025, he faced deportation after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused him of “leading activities aligned to Hamas,” a designated terrorist organization. The administration argued that his protest involvement, including negotiations with university officials, veered into encouraging illegal or violent actions—grounds for revoking his permanent residency.