Under its new tough immigration policy, the trump administration has stepped up its crackdown on foreign nationals, focusing especially on those who have received visas and Green Card holders. Immigrant communities have been rocked by the recent events, particularly indian students and professionals in the US who now face the possibility of deportation.
 
After Columbia university graduate student Mahmoud Khalil was arrested for allegedly supporting the Palestinian cause during rallies on campus, the topic intensified.  His actions have been connected to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Khalil's deportation was temporarily stopped by a New York judge, but federal agencies are still investigating his case, so his legal status is still unknown.
 
Trump Administration's Hardline Stance

Stephen Miller, President Donald Trump's Homeland Security Advisor and white house Deputy Chief of Staff, made plain the administration's stance. There is no 'right' to a Green Card or a visa. We don't want you here if you're a supporter of terrorism," he said. Miller further emphasized that, as part of a larger "national security imperative," foreign nationals who show support for terrorist groups would have their visas withdrawn.

Using social media, President trump expressed his approval of Khalil's detention.  "On the campus of Columbia university, ICE proudly captured and imprisoned Mahmoud Khalil, a radical foreign pro-Hamas student.  He wrote, "This is the first arrest of many to come."  The warning warned that further deportations would be coming soon, endangering a large number of non-citizens, particularly Indian-origin Green Card holders.

Indian Green Card Holders On High Alert

Indian immigrants, who make up a sizable section of the US population with Green Cards and visas, are uneasy about the increasing fears of deportation.  Many highly qualified indian employees in the banking, healthcare, and technology industries are concerned that the crackdown may go beyond those who are directly linked to terrorism.  Legal experts have cautioned that lawful residents may be at risk for small offenses or political speech due to the expansive interpretation of national security threats.

Concerns have also been voiced by civil rights organizations, which contend that the administration's actions are causing racial profiling and excessive targeting of immigrants.  An American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) immigration advocate stated, "This crackdown is not just about terrorism-it's about reshaping immigration policy in a way that disproportionately affects minorities."





For more interesting updates wa click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel

Find out more:

SIBY JEYYA

13/03/2025 08:13 AM