John Oliver didn’t hold back as he ripped into the Trump administration over the arrest and potential deportation of pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil. The British-born comedian, who became a U.S. citizen five years ago, shared his deep personal fears on Last Week Tonight, revealing how this case hits close to home.
Mahmoud, a green card holder and Columbia University graduate, was arrested last week. The U.S. government argues that the law allows it to deport any non-citizen whose actions could have “serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” But for Oliver, this isn’t just about one man—it’s about a chilling precedent.
“Maybe you don’t agree with Khalil. Maybe you don’t even agree with the things I’ve said about this conflict,” Oliver told his audience. “But if a green card holder can be deported for speaking in support of Palestine—or anything this administration doesn’t like—that should chill you to the bone.”
For Oliver, the fear is personal.
“I know what it’s like to live in constant fear of being kicked out of a place you call home,” he admitted, recalling his early days working at The Daily Show on a visa. “Anyone who has been through the U.S. immigration process has probably had a lot of anxious feelings stirred up this week.”
With Trump’s government cracking down on immigration and protest rights, Oliver warned that this is just the beginning.
“There is still a lot of uncertainty about how this case will play out in the courts,” he said. “But the public response should be unequivocal. Because this arrest was a f—ing disgrace.”
To drive his point home, Oliver displayed a photo of himself at his naturalization ceremony.
“That is what deep relief looks like,” he said.
