Death is a concept that can evoke a range of emotions and reactions. For some, it may be a frightening and uncomfortable topic, while for others it may be a natural part of life. However, regardless of our personal beliefs and feelings about death, one thing is certain – it is inevitable. Death is the one thing that all living beings have in common.
In recent years, death has been at the forefront of many discussions and debates, particularly in the context of politics. This is especially true in the case of immigration policies, where the issue of death has become a central point in the discourse surrounding the treatment of immigrants in the United States. One such case is that of Mahmoud Khalil, an Egyptian immigrant who tragically lost his life while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2019.
Khalil’s story is a tragic example of the necropolitics of Trump’s deportation regime, which prioritizes the power and control of the state over the lives and well-being of immigrants. The term “necropolitics” was coined by Achille Mbembe, a Cameroonian philosopher, to describe the use of power to dictate who lives and who dies. In the case of Trump’s deportation regime, this power is wielded to control the bodies and lives of immigrants, often resulting in devastating consequences.
Mahmoud Khalil’s death is a prime example of the deadly consequences of this necropolitical approach to immigration. Khalil, a 57-year-old father of two, came to the United States seeking asylum after facing persecution for his activism in Egypt. However, instead of finding safety and freedom, he was met with a system that prioritizes deportation over due process and human rights.
Khalil was detained by ICE in 2017 and was held in various detention centers for over two years. He suffered from several chronic health conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure, which were not adequately addressed by the detention centers. Despite numerous pleas from his family and his lawyers, ICE refused to release him on humanitarian grounds. In May 2019, he died from a heart attack while in ICE custody.
Khalil’s death is not an isolated incident. It is just one of the many tragedies that have occurred under the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The administration’s aggressive approach to immigration has resulted in the deaths of countless immigrants, both in detention centers and at the border. These deaths are not accidents but rather the direct result of policies that prioritize the removal of immigrants over their well-being.
The death of Mahmoud Khalil is a sobering reminder of the human cost of these policies. It is a stark illustration of how the state’s power to control and dictate the lives of immigrants can have deadly consequences. It is a reminder that death is not just a natural part of life but can also be a political tool used to further an agenda.
As we reflect on the tragedy of Mahmoud Khalil’s death and the many other lives lost under the current immigration policies, we must also recognize the role we play in this system. We must acknowledge our complicity in allowing such policies to exist and our responsibility to demand change. It is not enough to simply mourn the loss of lives; we must take action to prevent further deaths.
One way to do this is by holding the government accountable for its actions and demanding a more humane and just immigration system. We must also support and amplify the voices of those directly impacted by these policies, such as immigrant communities and advocacy groups. It is through collective action and solidarity that we can challenge the necropolitics of Trump’s deportation regime and work towards a more compassionate and inclusive society.
In conclusion, the death of Mahmoud Khalil serves as a poignant reminder that death is not just an individual experience but one that is intertwined with politics and power. It highlights the dangerous consequences of a system that values control and removal over the lives of immigrants. We must use this tragedy as a catalyst for change and strive towards a society that values and protects the lives of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status. Death may be the ultimate end, but it should not be the result of unjust and inhumane policies.
