Administration officials cited a rarely used provision that allows people’s removal if they present “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”

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.

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.