The White House justified revoking Khalil's green card by saying his involvement in protests against Israel's treatment of Palestinians amounted to support for Hamas and ran afoul of Trump's executive order banning antisemitism. Green card holders typically must break the law to be deported.

Immigration enforcement agents on Saturday arrested and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and Palestinian activist.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt alleged that Khalil had played a role in organizing demonstrations at which fliers were handed out bearing a logo for Hamas, which she did not display.