Editor’s note: This letter remains in the condition in which it was sent.
The University at Buffalo School of Law's chapter of the American Constitution Society condemns the recent detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and graduate of Columbia University. As a student chapter of America's largest progressive legal network, which itself has more than 200 lawyer and student chapters across the country, we are deeply committed to upholding constitutional principles, including the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech. Mr. Khalil's detention raises profound concerns about the protection of these rights.
Mr. Khalil, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 8, 2025, despite holding a green card. Reports suggest it was done with Columbia University's acquiescence. His detention followed his participation, as a demonstrator and mediator, in protests addressing credible allegations of human rights violations, war crimes, and genocide by the government of Israel. These troubling developments raise critical questions about the extent to which individuals can freely exercise their First Amendment rights without fear of retaliation or suppression by government and universities.
Mr. Khalil's deportation has been temporarily blocked by U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman, who stated that Mr. Khalil will remain in detention in Louisiana while the court considers his case. The Department of Homeland Security has cited President Donald Trump's executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism as the basis for Mr. Khalil's arrest, despite the lack of evidence provided to support the allegations.
Mr. Khalil's wife has expressed her deep concern and distress over his detention. She revealed that ICE agents initially told her that Mr. Khalil was being held in New Jersey, only for her to later discover that he had been transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana. This development has added to the emotional toll on their family as they await the birth of their first child.
The First Amendment protects the right to free speech, including dissenting voices that challenge prevailing policies or practices. The detention of Mr. Khalil in response to his political views sets a troubling precedent that could have a chilling effect on free expression, particularly for marginalized communities and non-citizens. All people, regardless of their opinions or legal status, must be protected and free to express themselves on issues of conscience.
We call upon the University at Buffalo and the University at Buffalo School of Law to reaffirm our collective commitment to safeguarding the rights enshrined in the Constitution and ensure that no individual is targeted for exercising their fundamental freedoms. These actions by ICE could impact the rights of members of our campus community, including roughly 5,665 international students. It is imperative that we protect our students from being retaliated against for the content of their speech and their attempts to ensure human rights are defended throughout the world.
The American Constitution Society, University at Buffalo Chapter
Photo: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
