Story perspectives

Trump Administration Sued Over ‘Project Esther’ Targeting Pro-Palestinian Activists

7/15/2026

Left

Trump Sued

The lawsuit alleges a “Project Esther” program, orchestrated by the Trump administration, aimed at identifying and deporting non-citizen pro-Palestinian activists.
U.S. President Donald Trump and right-wing groups are sued in federal court for allegedly executing the Project Esther scheme.
The Center for Constitutional Rights alleges Betar and Canary Mission colluded with ICE.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations produced over 100 reports from 5,000 Canary Mission names.

Right

Khalil Sues Trump

Columbia graduate and permanent-resident activist Mahmoud Khalil filed a lawsuit alleging a conspiracy against pro-Palestinian students.
He sued Trump administration, Heritage Foundation, others, naming Stephen Miller, Marco Rubio, Markwayne Mullin, Todd Blanche, Kristi Noem, John Armstrong.
The Center for Constitutional Rights said the defendants aimed to suppress speech they opposed.
Khalil seeks injunction and damages, saying his 104-day detention made him miss his son’s birth.

History

Historical Context

In 1956 the FBI began COINTELPRO, a covert counter-intelligence program that lasted until 1971 and used about 0.2 % of the bureau’s workload over 15 years. Directed by J. Edgar Hoover, it infiltrated and discredited groups such as the Black Panther Party and Martin Luther King Jr. Today activists claim a Trump-era “Project Esther” similarly weaponizes ICE against pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

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Trump Sued

The lawsuit alleges a “Project Esther” program, orchestrated by the Trump administration, aimed at identifying and deporting non-citizen pro-Palestinian activists.
U.S. President Donald Trump and right-wing groups are sued in federal court for allegedly executing the Project Esther scheme.
The Center for Constitutional Rights alleges Betar and Canary Mission colluded with ICE.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations produced over 100 reports from 5,000 Canary Mission names.

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