KPBS Midday Edition
KPBS Midday Edition
KPBS
Local jurists fear for free speech amid protestor arrest
45 minutes Posted Mar 25, 2025 at 10:12 pm.
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In early March, immigration agents in New York arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and Columbia University graduate.

The Trump administration argued that Khalil's prominent role in Pro-Palestinian and anti-war protests at Columbia last spring amounted to antisemitism and support for a terrorist organization.

In newly filed papers, the Trump administration also argued that Khalil failed to disclose involvement in certain organizations on his green card application. An attorney for Khalil called the allegations "plainly thin."

On Midday Edition, we discuss local jurists' concerns about the precedent Khalil's case sets for free speech protections and immigrant rights.

Guests:

  • David Loy, legal director at the First Amendment Coalition of San Diego
  • Annie Rios, attorney coordinating defense for UC San Diego student protestors
  • Tammy Lin, professor of immigration and supervising attorney at the University of San Diego's Legal Immigration Clinic

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