National Public Radio (NPR) reporter and host Michel Martin hammered Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar on whether President Donald Trump's government intends to deport people who disagree with the U.S. and Israel.
Pro-Palestinian Mahmoud Khalil was seized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the weekend and the U.S. government said it was revoking his green card. Khalil has been an outspoken anti-Israel protester but is in the U.S. legally.
A document from President Donald Trump’s administration claimed Khalil is "subject to removal from the United States," according to NBC News.
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First Amendment lawyer Adam Steinbaugh posted a short excerpt of the interview saying, "The Department of Homeland Security struggles to answer a very simple question: 'Is any criticism of the United States government a deportable offense?'"
Speaking to Edgar, NPR's Martin pointed out that the allegations are that Khalil made speeches, after which other people engaged in prohibited activity, some of which was violent.
"Mr. Trump gave a political speech on Jan. 6, 2021, after which some individuals engaged in violent and illegal acts. How is this any different?" Martin asked.
"Yeah, well, like I said, President Trump is the president and a citizen of the United States. This is a person that came in under a visa, and again, the Secretary of State can, at any time, take a look and evaluate that visa and decide if they want to revoke it," said Edgar.
Martin pointed out and insisted that Khalil is a legal permanent resident. So, what is the standard? Is any criticism of the Israeli government a deportable offense?"
"Uh, like I said, I think, uh, at this point when he was entered into the country on a student visa, at any point we can go through, I, uh, and evaluate what his status is and let Secretary of State —" Edgar began before being interrupted.
"Is any criticism of the United States government a deportable offense?" Martin asked.
"Uh, like I said, you go through the process and you're a student and you're here on a visa, and you go through, at any point, uh —" Edgar struggled before being interrupted again.
"Is at any point criticism of the government a deportable offense?" Martin asked again.
"It's, uh, like I said, as a student he comes to the United States on a student visa, applied — let me put it this way, Michel, imagine if he came in and filled out the form and they asked him what are you going to do here and he said I'm going to go and protest —" Edgar fumbled as Martin interrupted again.
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"But he was a student. So is protest a deportable offense?" she asked again.
"We would never have let him in the country," Edgar said.
"Like I said, you're focused on protesting, I'm focused on a visa process. He went through a legal process, came into this country," Edgar continued.
"Are you saying he lied on his application?" she asked. "He's a lawful permanent resident married to an American citizen."
"Well, I think if he declared he was a terrorist we would never have let him in," Edgar said.
"And what did he engage in that constitutes terrorist activities?" Martin asked.
"I, uh, Michel, have you watched it on TV? I think it's very clear," Edgar said.
"Well, explain it to those of us who have not or perhaps others have not. What exactly did he do?" Martin continued.
"Well, I think it's clear or we wouldn't be talking about it," Edgar struggled again. "The reality is that if you watch and see what he's done on the university —"
"Do you not know?" Martin asked. "Are you telling us that you're not aware? That you don't know what is a deportable offense?"
"No! I find it interesting that you're not aware," Edgar tried to turn it around on Martin.
"Well, I think if you could explain it to us others would like to know what the offenses are. What the propaganda was that you allege? What the offense was that you allege," Martin continued.
Edgar never was able to answer.
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