Khalil, an Iranian national and student at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, found himself at the center of a controversial deportation case after his student visa was revoked. The revocation occurred without proper notice as to why, resulting in Collins arrest on March 25, 2025. This isolated incident exposes a widespread national campaign by the Trump administration. Particularly, they are targeting international students, particularly those involved in activism or organizing that the government perceives to be a threat to national interests.
Soon after his arrest, he was moved to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in Jena, Louisiana. He is still being held at LaSalle Detention Center, where legal challenges over his case are still going on. U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that Khalil’s visa was revoked because he “posed significant national security concerns.”
Khalil regularly engages in pro-Palestine protests, civil disobedience, and campus activism. This has raised the concern of federal officials and has made his case the first documented effort at student deportation under the Trump administration. His legal team contends that Khalil is being held illegally. In fact, they are already in court actively trying to beat back his visa revocation.
Background on Khalil’s Activism
Khalil’s activism extends well beyond his years at Dartmouth. Prior to transferring, he assisted in co-founding Students for Justice in Palestine at Columbia University. He immediately began organizing his fellow students for pro-Palestine actions. His engagement in social media campaigns further amplified his voice in these movements, which have gained traction across various campuses nationwide.
Khalil’s activism has allegedly made some politicians uneasy. Senator Marco Rubio underscored the larger implications of this kind of activism by foreign nationals, remarking,
“We are not going to be importing activists into the United States. They’re here to study. They’re here to go to class. They’re not here to lead activist movements that are disruptive and undermine our universities.”
This troubling statement is consistent with a rising wave of officials who see activism as an existential threat, even a national security concern.
The implications of Khalil’s case reach far beyond any single deportation attempt. Many consider it to be a signal of a dangerous development for international students participating in political discourse. A significant number of students and faculty express anxiety about their future in the U.S., especially for those from politically unstable regions.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Responses
Khalil’s legal team is currently pursuing all avenues to challenge his unlawful detention. Specifically, they claim that he is being unconstitutionally detained without due process. To support this claim, they argue that the sudden cancellation of his visa was not sufficiently justified and was beyond the scope of established practice.
“Students can file lawsuits in federal courts, asserting violations of due process and seeking to restore their legal status,” said Mohammad Ali Syed, a legal expert on immigration issues. “For instance, students at Michigan universities have initiated legal actions against the Department of Homeland Security, alleging that their F-1 statuses were terminated without sufficient notice or explanation.”
Now, a federal judge in New Hampshire has intervened to temporarily stop the case’s progress against Khalil. This important decision provides him with a temporary respite as the courts reconsider the legitimacy of his detention and denial of a visa. This announcement marks an important milestone for Khalil, and countless other international students who have struggled in the same way.
Many universities have begun to recognize the precarious situation of their international students. Institutions like George Mason University are actively engaging with federal officials to understand the rationale behind visa terminations and exploring legal options to support affected students.
“Many universities are actively assisting affected students by providing legal resources, liaising with federal authorities, and offering academic accommodations,” noted Syed.
Despite these efforts, there remains a palpable sense of uncertainty among international students regarding their rights and protections under U.S. laws.
Broader Implications for International Students
Khalil’s case is part of a broader pattern of deportations of international students and scholars under the Trump administration. Stories have surfaced detailing how Khalil is not alone, as others are being threatened for their political work or alliances.
Even as worries grow about the long-term effects of these policies, thousands of international students find themselves left in an unenviable position. Some say that the prevailing political atmosphere has created a culture where taking action is not only discouraged, but criminalized.
As one foreign observer told us, that is the message the Trump administration wants to convey. They want to send a clear message to immigrants and international students that what should be rights are privileges, only guaranteed if you obey. This sentiment underscores fears that students may self-censor or withdraw from political engagement altogether for fear of jeopardizing their immigration status.
Others have been more aggressive in their efforts to safeguard their international student enrollments. The rest have done a poor job of providing enough confidence and comfort. Under new and shifting immigration policies, most students have shared with us that they feel alone and unsure of their future.
“At the same time, they see universities and colleges as bastions of liberal and left-wing politics,” said an anonymous source. “They want to leverage the politics around Palestine to discipline universities and force them to crack down on liberal and left content in classrooms.”
This political landscape presents a unique tension. It protects and encourages a spirit of frank discussion on campuses everywhere, even as universities step carefully in the age of immigration enforcement.
