Episode Transcript
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Whistleblower Rev. eals DHS Office Closing Led to Investigation Pause into Mahmoud Khalil 's Arrest Amid Nationwide Civil Rights Office Cuts and Firings
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The Department of Homeland Security 's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties ( CRCL ) was closed down in March , leaving behind a web of controversy and unanswered questions about the treatment of migrant detainees and activists .
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The office , which had around 150 employees , was responsible for investigating complaints against the department and advising on policies that affect communities affected by DHS activities .
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The closure of CRCL comes at a time when civil rights offices within other government departments have also been shuttered or significantly reduced in size .
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The elimination of these offices has significant implications for the country 's ability to protect its citizens from discrimination and abuse .
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One of the most high - profile cases being investigated was that of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil , who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) last year .
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Khalil had been negotiating with Col. umbia University administrators over the handling of a contentious campus encampment protest in 2023 .
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He was accused by the Trump administration of ties to terrorist organizations due to his connections with pro-Palestinian groups .
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A whistleblower has come forward alleging that CRCL opened an investigation into Khalil 's arrest just days before the office was dissolved .
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The investigation centered on concerns about Khalil 's due process rights during his detention and attempted removal from the United States .
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However , it appears that this case may have been one of the few investigations to be carried out by the now - defunct office .
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The dissolution of CRCL has sparked fears about the future of civil rights protections within DHS .
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Whistleblowers claim that the closure will lead to a ' significant and specific threat ' to US citizens who interact with the department , particularly in regards to practices like family detention .
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This echoes concerns raised last year when FEMA officials were accused of discriminating against Trump supporters in providing benefits after a federally recognized natural disaster .
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FEMA officials had been told to skip homes belonging to Trump supporters during disaster relief work , sparking outrage among some quarters .
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The whistleblower disclosure highlights the need for greater accountability and oversight within DHS to prevent similar abuses from occurring in the future .
