The United States offers foreign nationals numerous, uncomplicated pathways for lawful entry and extended residency. While these foreigners reside in the United States, they receive many of its benefits, ones that are typically unavailable or denied in their home countries. Those fundamental rights include free speech and the security of a police department comprising officers who neither accept bribes nor participate in organized crime.

The deportation proceedings against Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born Palestinian who played a major role in the anti-Israel protests and encampments at Columbia University last year, illustrate how some foreign nationals granted residency in the United States betray that privilege and exploit the country’s benefits and privileges in order to sow disruption and promote hateful movements.

If you read some of the stories in the mainstream media about Khalil’s deportation, you’ll see an overwhelming amount of sympathy from former coworkers, demonstrators, educators, immigration advocates and others, all expressing their deep sorrow regarding the deportation of a man who is soon expecting a child with his U.S. citizen wife.

Spare me the tears. Let’s cut through the deliberate, calculated distractions and confront the dirty truth. Mahmoud Khalil is not who the mainstream media makes him out to be.

Khalil is frequently referred to as a “Palestinian refugee.” He is Palestinian, but the media’s doublespeak clearly aims to portray him as having escaped the purported terrors of Israel, something that many activists have clearly bought into.

The reality is that he was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and resided there until his family escaped to Lebanon at the age of 18, after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. In Lebanon, he obtained a degree in computer science from the Lebanese American University in Beirut and thereafter began employment at the British embassy’s Syria office in Beirut. He then pursued a master’s degree in public administration at Columbia University, beginning in 2022. There is no information available to indicate that he has actually ever lived in — or even visited — Palestine.

Between June and November 2023, Khalil was employed by UNRWA, the notorious UN agency that had individuals who facilitated and supported Hamas during the terrorist group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attacks embedded in its ranks. On the date of those infamous attacks on Israel, Khalil was employed as a political affairs officer at UNRWA.

Now let’s be clear, had Khalil participated in the organized protest and encampment — or, to be blunt, riot — that he backed at Columbia University in any of the nations he previously lived in, he would find himself in a cold prison cell, at best. That behavior is not tolerated to any extent in most Middle Eastern countries. Thank God we live in a country with due process and free speech rights.

But Khalil abused his rights, which are not absolute. He treaded too deep into the waters of illegality, and now he is facing the repercussions.

The educators, students, government representatives and anyone advocating for his release are participating in disgraceful conduct. Khalil was awarded a green card to enroll at one of the most prestigious universities in one of the greatest cities within the greatest nation in the world, a country where opportunity is found around every corner, not bullets and bombs.

The U.S. government granted him the privilege of living here. And what did he do with that privilege? He turned the tables on the government that gave him an opportunity people around the world have risked life and limb for and helped orchestrate an encampment on Columbia University’s campus where Jewish students faced hostility and, according to the White House, where “pro-Hamas propaganda, flyers with the logo of Hamas” were distributed and pro-Hamas slogans were chanted.

He spat in the faces of every foreign soul who braved death, crossing unforgiving lands and treacherous waters, some never making it, all for the chance to stand on this soil, and yet there are even Americans who stand by his side.

Khalil’s attorneys contend that he has not been charged with a crime, which is necessary for deportation. They contend that he is being singled out for his speech-related activities. Mahmoud Khalil is fortunate to have not been charged with a crime. Because if he was, the government might be inclined to charge him with a crime related to supporting terrorism. All things considered, he should be thankful the government hasn’t taken it that far — yet.

It is simple: Substitute the dissemination of Hamas slogans and flyers with ISIS ones. Doesn’t sound so free-speech-protected now, does it? And federal prosecutors would find it quite simple to put together a case, convict him and seek criminal penalties including prison time.

Things could be much worse for Khalil than deportation. He crossed a line, and now he must face the consequences of his actions.

This also coincides with Secretary of State Marco Rubio expelling the South African ambassador from the United States, declaring him “persona non grata” due to the disgusting rhetoric and accusations he directed against the United States and our president.

Again, you can do this in no other country but the United States. But we will tolerate it to the death.

President Donald Trump and his administration are making it abundantly clear: Do not endorse or support terrorism. Don’t burn down cities. Do not exploit the nation that has provided you with everything.

Trump will not tolerate America being torn apart by people who were given the privilege of being here by our own government.

Armstrong Williams (www.armstrongwilliams.com; @arightside) is a political analyst, syndicated columnist and owner of the broadcasting company, Howard Stirk Holdings. He is also part owner of The Baltimore Sun.