How the ‘war on terror’ paved the way for student deportations in the US

People hold signs as they attend a protest in support of Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil while a hearing takes place outside the court in Newark, New Jersey, on March 28 [Kena Betancur/AFP]

When Asad Dandia received a message from a young man named Shamiur Rahman in March 2012, he had no reason to suspect that he was under the watchful eye of state surveillance.

Rahman simply seemed interested in deepening his relationship with Islam and getting involved in charity work. As a Muslim community organiser in New York City, Dandia was happy to help.