Federal authorities are moving to deport a Kuwaiti national who obtained U.S. lawful permanent residency after officials say he repeatedly called the United States “the enemy” and expressed support for a designated terrorist organization, in an enforcement action that underscores the Trump administration’s immigration priorities.
Tareq Alkhudari entered the United States in 2014 on a non-immigrant student visa to attend San Jose State University in California. He was granted lawful permanent resident status in November 2024. Following a review of his public statements and online activity, Secretary of State Marco Rubio terminated his immigration status, and he is now in federal custody pending removal proceedings.
A Pattern of Anti-American Statements
According to reporting on the case, Alkhudari’s activity on Instagram and Bluesky showed a pattern of hostility toward the United States and its people. In one post from December 2025, he shared a cartoon depicting a person preparing to set fire to an American flag styled as a cape draped over a woman’s shoulders — imagery that officials interpreted as evoking violent anti-American sentiment. In another post, he spoke approvingly of the Hamas code name for its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
In a Kuwaiti newspaper column, Alkhudari also criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as insufficiently radical, characterizing him as too closely tied to the American liberal establishment. Additional posts described U.S. consumerism and foreign policy in harshly critical terms and dismissed Western pro-Palestinian activists who did not share his views on regional conflicts as lacking political understanding.
Official Response
A State Department official defended the decision, saying the administration will not allow foreign nationals who denigrate the country to remain on American soil while enjoying its hospitality. The official added that Alkhudari had wished harm on the president, called America “the enemy,” and voiced support for foreign terror organizations — and warned that “foreign nationals who echo propaganda from foreign adversaries” should expect deportation.
Case at a Glance
- Entered the U.S. in 2014 on a student visa to attend San Jose State University
- Granted lawful permanent residency (green card) in November 2024
- Immigration status terminated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Currently in federal custody pending removal proceedings
Officials say the case reflects a broader push to scrutinize the public statements and online activity of visa and green card holders, not just applicants at the point of entry.
Background and Broader Context
The case comes amid continued efforts by the Trump administration to tighten vetting and enforcement for both non-immigrant and immigrant visa holders, including expanded review of social media activity during visa applications and renewals. Officials have said the administration is prioritizing removal of individuals it views as posing ideological or security risks, including those who entered the country legally but later expressed views authorities consider incompatible with U.S. national security interests.
San Jose State University had not issued a public statement on the case as of this report. Supporters of the administration’s approach argue that lawful permanent residency is a privilege that can be revoked, while immigration advocacy groups have raised concerns about the scope of enforcement actions tied to protected speech. Authorities maintain that the case centers on expressed support for a designated terrorist organization rather than political speech alone.
This article draws on reporting on the case, including coverage of statements attributed to a State Department official regarding Alkhudari’s removal.
