Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a 29-year-old Palestinian refugee raised in Syria, felt a personal connection to Israel’s war in Gaza. Despite wanting to join on-campus activism against the war, Khalil, who was in the United States on a F-1 student visa, was hesitant due to the potential risks to his enrollment status. Instead, he chose to be a lead negotiator for Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a student group advocating for Palestinian rights. However, Khalil’s participation in a campus encampment led to his suspension, which was later rescinded after an appeal.
The incident highlighted the potential legal jeopardy international students face when participating in protests, as even temporary suspensions can lead to reporting to the Department of Homeland Security and eventual deportation proceedings. The heightened scrutiny towards campus protests, especially those critical of Israel, has led some international students to avoid involvement altogether. The political atmosphere has also prompted fears of anti-Semitic hate and violence, with some politicians proposing legislation to revoke student visas for participants in unlawful protests.
While many international students have chosen to take peripheral roles in protests, such as providing supplies and services, rather than engaging directly in demonstrations, the crackdown on campus protests has had a chilling effect. The combination of xenophobia, extreme surveillance, and potential legal consequences has made international students more cautious in their activism, despite their desire to support causes they believe in.