Imagine deportation: When Nixon tried to pull a Trump on John Lennon

Salon - Mar 22nd, 2025

In October 2023, during a campaign stop, Donald Trump announced plans to revoke the visas of 'radical, anti-American and anti-Semitic foreigners' in U.S. colleges, targeting Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. Khalil, a green card holder and former Columbia University student, led pro-Palestine protests and now faces deportation. This action mirrors Richard Nixon's attempts to deport John Lennon in the 1970s due to his anti-war stance. Khalil's case is being pursued under a provision of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, allowing deportation for adverse foreign policy impacts.

The Khalil case highlights the ongoing use of governmental power to suppress dissent, drawing parallels with historical actions against activists by Republican administrations. Unlike Lennon, Khalil lacks resources and celebrity support, but his legal team argues the deportation attempt violates the First Amendment. The federal court's transfer of the case to New Jersey offers a temporary reprieve. The situation underscores the broader theme of political repression and the manipulation of immigration laws to silence opposition voices, echoing past tactics against peace activists.

Donald Trump Immigration First Amendment Deportation John Lennon Richard Nixon Mahmoud Khalil Anti War Activism

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RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively draws a parallel between historical and contemporary uses of immigration laws for political ends, offering a compelling narrative that is both timely and relevant. Its strengths lie in its clear presentation and connection to ongoing debates, while it could improve in transparency and source quality through more explicit citations and diverse perspectives. Overall, the story provides a thought-provoking look at the intersection of politics, immigration, and activism, with the potential to engage and inform a broad audience.

Accuracy

The story accurately recounts historical events regarding Richard Nixon's attempt to deport John Lennon due to his anti-war activism and a minor drug conviction. These facts are well-documented and align with historical records. The comparison between Nixon's actions and Trump's proposed policies on deportation of activists is also supported by the narrative of using immigration laws for political purposes. However, the article could benefit from more precise details on Mahmoud Khalil's current situation to enhance factual depth.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view by comparing two separate administrations' use of immigration laws for political ends. It highlights both Nixon's historical actions and Trump's contemporary proposals, offering a comparative analysis. However, it could include more perspectives, such as those from legal experts or opposing political figures, to provide a fuller picture of the implications and criticisms of such policies.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, presenting its narrative in a logical sequence. The language is straightforward, making the complex historical and legal comparisons accessible to readers. However, some sections could benefit from additional context or explanation, particularly regarding the legal nuances of Khalil's case.

Source quality

The story references historical events that are well-documented, suggesting reliance on credible sources. However, the article does not explicitly cite its sources, which makes it difficult to assess the reliability of the information presented. Including direct references or quotes from primary sources or experts would enhance the credibility of the narrative.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of source attribution and methodology. It does not disclose how information was gathered or verify the claims about Mahmoud Khalil's legal situation. Providing more context and background on the sources of information and the author's methodology would improve transparency.