BY SRH Protests against the war are on the rise as the United States deepens its military involvement in foreign conflicts without explicit congressional approval and as fears of war crimes mount. Unfortunately, the government is becoming more and more hostile toward dissent rather than defending it.The case involving Mahmoud Khalil revolves around that. ICE held Khalil, a lawful resident and graduate of Columbia University, for opposing war, not for any crime or violent offense. The administration is now making an even more alarming argument: That someone can be imprisoned solely because of their political beliefs—and that the courts will not intervene until much later—in the case of a habeas corpus petition. So, it’s necessary to punish first. Deal with the fallout (if any) afterward. When the state criminalizes legitimate actions, stalls justice, and normalizes the misuse of authority, rights