Latest news with #Glick
CBS News
30-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Does today's rate environment make HELOCs too risky? Here's what experts say.
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Homeowners should carefully calculate the trajectory of HELOC interest rates before borrowing equity right now. Getty Images Inflation and elevated interest rates continue to squeeze household budgets in 2025. Despite these financial hurdles, many homeowners are sitting on a valuable resource — the equity they've built in their homes. Getting a home equity line of credit (HELOC) has become a popular way to tap into this wealth. It offers lower interest rates than credit cards while providing flexibility similar to the use of a credit card. And that rate is variable and subject to change monthly for borrowers, meaning it could become even cheaper if interest rates continue to decline as they have. But the same features that make HELOCs attractive can also create financial risks. Are they too risky right now? We asked three home equity experts to share their insights on when HELOCs make sense, when they don't and what alternatives could be better right now. See how low your HELOC rate offers are here now. Does today's rate environment make HELOCs too risky? "With the prime rate at 7.5% and home prices having appreciated nationwide, I don't think HELOCs are too risky today," says Karen Mayfield, national head of originations at Multiply Mortgage, a mortgage-as-a-benefit provider. Debbie Calixto, sales manager at mortgage lender loanDepot, echoes a similar sentiment. "Households are feeling the pressure of rising living expenses," she observes. HELOCs offer a valuable alternative to high-interest credit card debt. However, Steven Glick, director of mortgage sales at real estate investment fintech company HomeAbroad, offers a more nuanced view. "HELOCs aren't inherently too risky, but they come with risks that depend on [your] situation," he explains. While home equity loan interest rates have dipped below 9%, he cautions that variable HELOC rates can climb if economic conditions change. When HELOCs make financial sense now Glick says a HELOC makes the most sense if you find yourself in one or more of these situations now: Get started with a HELOC online today. When HELOCs may not make financial sense now Here are situations where a HELOC could cause more harm than good if secured now, experts say: You have unstable income: "If your job's shaky or your DTI is above 43%, a variable-rate HELOC could stretch you thin, especially if rates rise," cautions Glick. "If your job's shaky or your DTI is above 43%, a variable-rate HELOC could stretch you thin, especially if rates rise," cautions Glick. You lack a clear purpose: "If you're borrowing for vague reasons or lifestyle expenses [such as] vacations, you're setting yourself up for trouble," warns Glick. "If you're borrowing for vague reasons or lifestyle expenses [such as] vacations, you're setting yourself up for trouble," warns Glick. The housing market is declining: If local home prices are dropping, overborrowing could leave you underwater if you need to sell. If local home prices are dropping, overborrowing could leave you underwater if you need to sell. You're on a tight budget: A HELOC's variable rate is risky if you're on a fixed budget where a $200 monthly payment increase would hurt you, according to Glick. A HELOC's variable rate is risky if you're on a fixed budget where a $200 monthly payment increase would hurt you, according to Glick. You already owe a lot: "If [you owe] a substantial amount on [your] home, it can be risky maxing out [your] entire, or a bulk, of [your] home equity," Mayfield says. Alternative home equity borrowing options to consider If a HELOC doesn't work for your circumstances right now, experts recommend these alternatives: Home equity loans Cash-out refinance loans : This replaces your existing mortgage with a larger one. Calixto notes that "even if the new mortgage is a bit higher than your current one, your borrowing costs might still be lower when everything's combined." This replaces your existing mortgage with a larger one. Calixto notes that "even if the new mortgage is a bit higher than your current one, your borrowing costs might still be lower when everything's combined." Reverse mortgages : "For homeowners 62 [of age and up], this lets you borrow against equity without monthly payments (repaid when you sell or pass away)," explains Glick. Seniors with limited income may choose this option. The bottom line HELOCs offer flexible access to your home's equity. But they work well when you have a clear purpose, stable finances and a plan for managing variable payments. Calixto advises taking a conservative approach. "Borrow only what you truly need and think carefully about how your home's value might change over time," she says. With careful planning, a HELOC can be a powerful financial tool rather than a risky burden.
CBS News
24-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
What could happen to mortgage rates this May?
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Some changes could be coming for mortgage rates this May, experts say. Getty Images Mortgage rates remain higher than many homebuyers prefer right now as inflation persists and the Federal Reserve maintains elevated benchmark rates. And with May approaching, bringing both market changes and another scheduled Fed meeting, uncertainty looms. So what could happen to mortgage interest rates this upcoming month? We consulted mortgage lending experts to break down three possible scenarios for May's mortgage rates. Below, they explain what might push rates up, down or keep them steady — and what that means for your homebuying decisions. Compare today's top mortgage loan options online now. What could happen to mortgage rates this May? "I'm predicting mortgage rates will go slightly lower in May 2025, likely settling between 6.4% and 6.6% for a 30-year fixed," says Steven Glick, a licensed mortgage loan officer and director of mortgage sales at HomeAbroad, a real estate investment fintech company. Other mortgage experts echo similar sentiments about limited movement ahead. For example, Karen Mayfield, national head of originations at Multiply Mortgage, a mortgage-as-a-benefit provider, expects daily volatility — but within a 0.25% to 0.375% range in movement overall for the next few months. But mortgage forecasts are just educated guesses based on trends we're seeing. Let's examine what could drive rates in each possible direction next month: Why mortgage rates could drop in May "For rates to dip, we'd need a clear sign the economy's cooling off," explains Glick. "If inflation falls closer to the Fed's 2% target [and] the Consumer Price Index drops to 2.5% or lower in April's report, that could spark talk of a Fed rate cut." When Treasury yields drop in response to cooling inflation, mortgage rates often follow. Consumer behavior already suggests this cooling may be underway. "The consumer has lost some confidence in the market," notes Dean Rathbun, executive vice president at United American Mortgage Corporation. He's seeing reduced spending on goods and services. This could signal to markets that economic growth is stalling, potentially leading to lower interest rates. Find out how affordable the right mortgage loan could be now. Why mortgage rates could stay the same in May "Rates could hold steady if the economy keeps humming along without big shocks," says Glick. "If inflation stays around 2.8% to 3%, and job growth continues at a moderate pace, the Fed's likely to keep their hands off the benchmark rate at the May meeting." This scenario would keep Treasury yields near 4.3%, resulting in mortgage rates remaining in the mid-6% range. Why mortgage rates could rise in May "Rates could climb if the economy heats up," warns Glick. "If inflation jumps past 3%, yields could hit 4.5%." A stronger-than-expected jobs report would likely cause lenders to increase rates, with Treasury yields rising in response to signs of economic strength. Market uncertainty creates another path to higher rates. "The mortgage markets like security and certainty, neither of which they are seeing right now," explains Rathbun. "Therefore, rates increase to offset the potential risk that bonds incur." Mayfield adds that international factors could drive mortgage rates up. "China is a major holder of U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities," she says. "If they retaliate by selling these assets, we could see a spike in mortgage rates." Smart strategies for navigating uncertain rate environments With May's mortgage rate direction unclear, practical strategies are more helpful than perfect predictions. Mortgage professionals recommend the following: Plan ahead: "Begin the pre-approval process early, even before you're ready to make an offer," advises Debbie Calixto, sales manager at mortgage lender loanDepot. This gives you time to improve your credit score debt-to-income ratio "Begin the pre-approval process early, even before you're ready to make an offer," advises Debbie Calixto, sales manager at mortgage lender loanDepot. This gives you time to improve Focus on your timeline (not the market's): Buy when it makes sense for your life situation. "It's nearly impossible to predict or perfectly time the mortgage market," Calixto explains. If rates drop later, refinancing remains an option Buy when it makes sense for your life situation. "It's nearly impossible to predict or perfectly time the mortgage market," Calixto explains. If rates drop later, Consider alternative loan products: "Check out adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs)," suggests Glick. "[They] often start lower than fixed rates." These can be advantageous if you know you'll sell or refinance within a few years. "Check out adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs)," suggests Glick. "[They] often start lower than fixed rates." These can be advantageous if you know you'll sell or refinance within a few years. Explore rate buydowns: "If you've got cash to spare, paying points upfront to lower your rate can cut your monthly payment," Glick notes. This strategy is ideal if you plan to stay in your home long-term. The bottom line While rates could stay steady or drop slightly in May, they could also rise if market conditions shift. "If you're comfortable with your estimated monthly payment at current rates, it's wise to secure that rate," advises Calixto. Now is a good time to contact several lenders for personalized guidance. Ask about rate-lock options, compare loan products and determine your comfort level with today's payments. And remember, the peace of mind from a secured rate often outweighs the gamble of waiting for drops.
CBS News
09-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Comparing HELOC and home equity loan rates now: What experts say borrowers should know
Home equity line of credit (HELOC) and home equity loan interest rates have been trending downward in 2025 , creating valuable borrowing opportunities for homeowners in an otherwise high-rate climate. That means homeowners have a couple of affordable options for tapping into their home's equity right now. Before deciding between the two, though, it helps to understand each option clearly. HELOCs currently offer lower starting rates but because the rates are variable, they can change over time. Home equity loans lock in fixed rates for the entire term. As a result, your choice between the two could save — or cost — you thousands, so it's important to understand how to compare the rates on these options before making a decision. Start comparing your home equity borrowing options online now . Below, mortgage experts explain how today's home equity borrowing options work, what's driving current rate trends and which factors impact your total costs. HELOC rates are lower than home equity loans because they're tied to the U.S. Prime Rate, which follows the Federal Reserve's actions, experts say. "Borrowers are still feeling the benefit of the Fed's three rate cuts in 2024, which lowered rates by a full percentage point," says Debbie Calixto, sales manager at mortgage lender loanDepot. These cuts have made HELOCs especially attractive for homeowners tapping their equity. Home equity loans, on the other hand, follow a different pattern. "[They're] fixed-rate, so they don't budge as fast," says Steven Glick, a licensed mortgage loan officer and director of mortgage sales at HomeAbroad, a real estate agency. Long-term bond markets and broader economic forecasts drive these rates instead of immediate Fed decisions. Lenders also build in a premium for the rate stability that home equity loans provide. This makes them more expensive upfront, but protects borrowers from future rate increases that HELOC users might face. Find out what your home equity borrowing rate could be now . "I don't see home equity loan rates slipping below HELOCs this year," says Glick. "The Fed's hinting at a couple more rate cuts, but nothing drastic. Inflation's hanging around 2.7%, and jobs are still solid." Since HELOCs respond to Fed changes, they'll maintain their rate advantage if these cuts materialize. Ari Rastegar, CEO of real estate investment firm Rastegar Capital, agrees with Glick's forecast, saying it's unlikely home equity loan rates will fall below HELOCs in 2025. "HELOC rates are nimble, adjustable and built to move," Rastegar says. Fixed-rate home equity loans move more slowly because lenders factor in long-term economic predictions. "Besides market conditions, your financial profile plays the biggest role in determining your rate and how much equity you can access through a HELOC or home equity loan," says Calixto. To assess risk, lenders examine your credit score , debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and current mortgage balance. Generally, higher risk means higher rates and potentially smaller loan amounts. The impact on your costs can be significant. "If your credit's stellar — say, 740 or higher — you're likely getting the lowest rates, maybe shaving half a point off the average," notes Glick. "A solid DTI, under 43%, tells lenders you can handle the payments, so they'll offer better terms." Borrowers with weaker profiles might still qualify but may pay 1% to 2% more in interest. Experts recommend evaluating the total cost of the loan before choosing a home equity product. Here are the key costs to watch for: While HELOCs currently feature lower starting rates, they come with uncertainty. "With a variable rate, there's always the risk that your rate could increase over time, along with your monthly payment," Calixto cautions. In contrast, a fixed-rate home equity loan keeps your payments predictable throughout economic shifts. But both options come with unique benefits and use cases. So, before committing to one, Calixto advises consulting a trusted mortgage professional to discuss your options and gain clarity around fees. They'll help you look beyond today's rates to find a good balance between immediate savings and long-term financial security.
Egypt Independent
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
A pro-Israel group says it gave US list of protesters to deport, drawing alarm from students' supporters
New York CNN — Not long after the October 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel and subsequent war in Gaza, Ross Glick's inbox flooded with tips, photos, video and information about students and faculty members participating in pro-Palestinian protests on US college campuses. As many protesters rallied against Israel's military response and demanded a ceasefire, Glick – a pro-Israel activist – focused on the emails and would temporarily join New York-based Betar USA, a self-described Zionist advocacy group with a motto of 'Jews fight back.' The tips would become part of Betar's effort to compile information and expose certain protesters that Glick claims wanted not just to support Palestinians but also to incite violence and hatred toward Jews. Now, as the Trump administration has begun arresting and trying to deport several noncitizen students and academics – some of whom were pro-Palestinian protesters – Betar says it's been telling the administration whom to look for. Betar says it shared with the government a list of noncitizen protesters and activists it believes should be deported. It says the effort is in response to President Donald Trump's January executive order, which promised to 'combat antisemitism' on college campuses. An accompanying administration fact sheet said the government could seek to deport noncitizen 'Hamas sympathizers,' participants of 'pro-jihadist protests' and people accused of antisemitic acts. 'Our research, our information, the massive amount of video and photos that we have gathered – we create our dossiers and our reports. We hand them over, we make recommendations,' Glick, who left his executive director post at Betar about a month ago after helping establish its research operation, told CNN in a recent interview. Betar – which the Jewish civil rights group Anti-Defamation League put on a list of groups that it says promote extremist or hateful ideologies, an action Betar calls a baseless smear campaign – has been open about flagging noncitizen protesters for possible deportation. 'We submitted the names of hundreds of protesters and activists to the Trump administration/DHS urging ICE to deport them under the executive orders,' Daniel Levy, a spokesperson for Betar, told CNN in March. Besides claiming to give this information to the government, Betar – and other pro-Jewish groups – have posted online the names, pictures and other information of noncitizen pro-Palestinian protesters who they allege expressed Hamas support or Jewish hate. Whether the government is using that information is unclear. Meanwhile, the tactics of Betar and other groups, including Canary Mission, have drawn various concerns. Supporters of recently detained academics decry the groups' efforts as inappropriate harassment and a disinformation campaign. Privacy experts with whom CNN spoke say the documentation exposes tensions between the chilling of free speech and minimal expectations of privacy in public places, and it raises concerns about the extent to which a government should use information distributed by outside groups. And a student profiled by one of the groups – while not among the detained – says the profile inaccurately describes her and caused her to endure death threats, anxiety and depression. A number of academics detained this year to await deportation proceedings were profiled online by at least one of these groups, including Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent figure in last year's protests at Columbia University, and Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student taken away by immigration officers outside her Massachusetts apartment last week. Neither has been criminally charged, and their supporters have argued they've been falsely portrayed and that the administration has no basis for deporting them. The State Department declined to answer CNN's question about whether it has used information from Betar or any similar group. Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week said: 'We're not going to talk about the process by which we're identifying' deportation targets 'because obviously we're looking for more people.' A State Department spokesperson told CNN the agency uses 'all available technology' in visa screenings and vetting. 'No matter how information comes to our attention, every visa decision is made by trained consular staff who review the information to ascertain whether a visa revocation is supported by the facts and law,' the spokesperson said. The White House press secretary has said the Department of Homeland Security used 'intelligence' to identify international student protesters who it thinks might have engaged in deportable offenses, but did not offer details. 'US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not working with or received any tips through the ICE Tip Line from the groups identified as Betar and Canary Mission,' a DHS spokesperson told CNN. Mahmoud Khalil speaks to reporters about a protest encampment at Columbia University in New York City on June 1, 2024. Jeenah Moon/Reuters What the groups say they do According to Glick, when tipsters have flagged unidentified students and faculty, Betar has used facial recognition technology, artificial intelligence and open-source information such as social media postings and media appearances to help put names to the subjects. 'Once it became known through our circles that we were undertaking this process, and before I even got involved with Betar, I had people contacting me from all over the country,' said Glick, who said he left his Betar role to pursue other projects. Glick's X profile boasts photos and videos of a recent visit to Capitol Hill, and videos in which he appears to confront people at pro-Palestinian rallies. Even after leaving Betar, he wants to expose what he describes as an 'organized effort' against the Jewish community, he says. Betar also recently took credit for a pair of incendiary stickers that appeared on a pole on Harvard Law School's campus last week. The school sent a letter to students condemning the stickers, saying they were 'posted in violation of campus policies.' One of the stickers read, 'Don't be Mahmood Khalil. Be a racist if you want, just keep it to yourself #JFB (Jews fight back),' according to a Harvard University employee familiar with the incident. A different sticker read, 'I am a green card holder who loves America. I will never be deported. Are You?' the Harvard Crimson reported. Glick and Betar are not alone. The anonymously run Canary Mission website says it 'documents individuals and organizations that promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews on North American campuses and beyond.' It also says it will profile people who support efforts to boycott, divest from or sanction Israel or companies associating with Israel – which were among the demands of some campus pro-Palestinian protests last school year. The site, which says it gathers content from publicly available sources and invites tips, contains purported bios of students and others. Bio pages have subjects' photos, social media posts, media appearances and writings. A Canary Mission spokesperson told CNN by email the group is apolitical and does not have any contact with the Trump administration. The group said its research is posted publicly for anyone to see following what it describes as careful vetting and fact checking, and did not respond to a question about who operates Canary Mission. 'When people view the profiles on our site, we hope they understand that hateful actions and words do carry consequences,' the Canary Mission spokesperson told CNN. 'We believe sunlight is the best disinfectant, and by highlighting these behaviors, we encourage accountability and raise awareness of the widespread impact that antisemitic and hateful speech can have — both within and beyond campus communities.' People protesting against the war in Gaza are seen, along with passersby, near a statue draped by a Palestinian flag near a protest encampment at Harvard University in Massachusetts on April 25, 2024. Ben Curtis/AP 'Dehumanizing doxing campaign,' lawyers say Khalil, a legal permanent US resident, participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia last year before finishing his work on a master's degree there in December. Khalil was arrested outside his New York apartment March 8 after the Trump administration alleged, without providing evidence, that Khalil 'led activities aligned to Hamas.' His attorneys have denied he has any ties to Hamas. The Trump administration has argued, in part, Khalil is a threat to US security, citing a law that allows noncitizens to be deported if their presence has 'potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.' In a filing against this detention, Khalil's lawyers noted Betar's claim it had submitted to the government the names of hundreds of activists it wanted deported. His lawyers also highlighted a January 29 X post from Betar that said Khalil was 'on our deport list.' His lawyers also asserted the post falsely accused him of making inflammatory statements against Zionists. A day before he was arrested, Khalil emailed the university's interim president to ask for legal support and other protections, his lawyers said in a court document. In the email, Khalil cited what his lawyers called a 'dehumanizing doxing campaign against him,' according to the document. 'I haven't been able to sleep, fearing that ICE or a dangerous individual might come to my home,' Khalil wrote, according to a court document. After Khalil's detention, more arrests came. Ozturk, the Tufts doctoral student, was arrested March 24 near the Massachusetts school's Somerville campus. A Turkish national on a student visa, she is accused of having 'engaged in activities in support of Hamas,' a DHS spokesperson said, without specifying those activities. Her lawyers say she is unfairly being punished for speaking out for Palestinian rights. Canary Mission had profiled her, calling her a supporter of the movement to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel. It links out to a March 2024 opinion piece that Ozturk co-wrote in the school's newspaper in which she criticized Tufts' response to a student government group's call for the university to divest. Ozturk's brother issued a statement accusing Canary Mission of targeting Ozturk strictly for her political views. 'Canary Mission terrorizes supporters of Palestine by equating the Palestinian issue with terrorism and encourages the restriction of basic rights and freedoms,' Asim Ozturk wrote. Lawyers for other students detained or sought for deportation proceedings, including Momodou Taal and Yunseo Chung, also noted groups' efforts to identify the students, court documents show. Exposed and in fear Sara Rasikh, a University of Toronto graduate student who was born and raised in Pakistan and moved to Canada in 2013, learned Canary Mission had published information about her. Then she began receiving harassing messages and death threats on social media. The Canary Mission profile was created after she took a forward-facing role in pro-Palestinian protests on her college campus last year, acting as a spokesperson for an encampment on school grounds, Rasikh said. 'Many students avoid engaging in Palestine solidarity organizing out of fear for their future career, their immigration status, and that is no way for a society to be functioning,' Rasikh said. 'Doxing is not new – racialized movements have long faced surveillance, harassment, repression, all the different tactics, and Canary Mission is part of this legacy,' she said. Sara Rasikh, a University of Toronto graduate student, speaks to reporters last year about a protest encampment on campus and the university's reaction to it. Nick Lachance/Rasikh's Canary Mission profile shows screenshots of her social media activity, photos and video of her at protests, along with a biography describing her as a supporter of Hamas. 'I've never spoken to or about Hamas, but my headline says that I support Hamas, which isn't true,' she said. Rasikh said the online profile has resulted in harassment, impacted her mental health and professional prospects, and caused her to fear for her safety and suffer from anxiety and depression. 'They are creating these profiles and these personalities for us that are so distant from reality, taking what we're saying and twisting it to serve their narrative to incite fear and harm and violence,' Rasikh said. Privacy in the public square Privacy experts say while the groups' activities raise serious concerns that exposure could prevent people from demonstrating, their actions may be within legal limits because they rely on publicly available information. Groups like Betar and Canary Mission take information that is available across a range of disparate sources –- including social media feeds, pictures, school affiliations, LinkedIn profiles and even home addresses. But using publicly available information to compile a list of deportation targets – and sharing with government officials who may use it to direct law enforcement action solely on the basis of their political opinions – raises concerns that people's right to free speech and privacy is being infringed upon, said Megan Iorio, senior counsel and amicus director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a nonprofit research and advocacy group in Washington, DC. 'Even if people don't like what they're saying, they have the right to say it,' Iorio said. 'On top of that, what they're doing is then labeling these people as antisemites,' Iorio said. 'So, this label that carries with it a lot of weight that can have implications for their reputation, and now also their ability to either stay in the country or to avoid criminal penalties for just speaking is enormous.' Hundreds attended a rally in support of detained Tufts University graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk. WCVB Defamation, if something incorrect is published, could be the clearest available cause of legal action because of the potential reputational harm caused to the person whose photo is published, Iorio said. Protesters also could pursue legal remedies if they can show they were harmed, such as through harassment or violence, Iorio said. Sophia Cope, a senior staff attorney on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's civil liberties team, says a main problem would be if the government is using the groups' information to punish legally protected speech. 'People who go to protest should understand that they are exposing themselves to other people's cell phone videos, to media that's there,' Cope said. But 'if the government acts on information to punish the targets for what appears to be legal activity, that's the real problem,' she said. CNN's Jennifer Hansler and Sarah Boxer contributed to this report.
CNN
02-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
A pro-Israel group says it gave US list of protesters to deport, drawing alarm from students' supporters
Not long after the October 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel and subsequent war in Gaza, Ross Glick's inbox flooded with tips, photos, video and information about students and faculty members participating in pro-Palestinian protests on US college campuses. As many protesters rallied against Israel's military response and demanded a ceasefire, Glick – a pro-Israel activist – focused on the emails and would temporarily join New York-based Betar USA, a self-described Zionist advocacy group with a motto of 'Jews fight back.' The tips would become part of Betar's effort to compile information and expose certain protesters that Glick claims wanted not just to support Palestinians but also to incite violence and hatred toward Jews. Now, as the Trump administration has begun arresting and trying to deport several noncitizen students and academics – some of whom were pro-Palestinian protesters – Betar says it's been telling the administration whom to look for. Betar says it shared with the government a list of noncitizen protesters and activists it believes should be deported. It says the effort is in response to President Donald Trump's January executive order, which promised to 'combat antisemitism' on college campuses. An accompanying administration fact sheet said the government could seek to deport noncitizen 'Hamas sympathizers,' participants of 'pro-jihadist protests' and people accused of antisemitic acts. 'Our research, our information, the massive amount of video and photos that we have gathered – we create our dossiers and our reports. We hand them over, we make recommendations,' Glick, who left his executive director post at Betar about a month ago after helping establish its research operation, told CNN in a recent interview. Betar – which the Jewish civil rights group Anti-Defamation League put on a list of groups that it says promote extremist or hateful ideologies, an action Betar calls a baseless smear campaign – has been open about flagging noncitizen protesters for possible deportation. 'We submitted the names of hundreds of protesters and activists to the Trump administration/DHS urging ICE to deport them under the executive orders,' Daniel Levy, a spokesperson for Betar, told CNN in March. Besides claiming to give this information to the government, Betar – and other pro-Jewish groups – have posted online the names, pictures and other information of noncitizen pro-Palestinian protesters who they allege expressed Hamas support or Jewish hate. Whether the government is using that information is unclear. Meanwhile, the tactics of Betar and other groups, including Canary Mission, have drawn various concerns. Supporters of recently detained academics decry the groups' efforts as inappropriate harassment and a disinformation campaign. Privacy experts with whom CNN spoke say the documentation exposes tensions between the chilling of free speech and minimal expectations of privacy in public places, and it raises concerns about the extent to which a government should use information distributed by outside groups. And a student profiled by one of the groups – while not among the detained – says the profile inaccurately describes her and caused her to endure death threats, anxiety and depression. A number of academics detained this year to await deportation proceedings were profiled online by at least one of these groups, including Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent figure in last year's protests at Columbia University, and Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student taken away by immigration officers outside her Massachusetts apartment last week. Neither has been criminally charged, and their supporters have argued they've been falsely portrayed and that the administration has no basis for deporting them. The State Department declined to answer CNN's question about whether it has used information from Betar or any similar group. Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week said: 'We're not going to talk about the process by which we're identifying' deportation targets 'because obviously we're looking for more people.' A State Department spokesperson told CNN the agency uses 'all available technology' in visa screenings and vetting. 'No matter how information comes to our attention, every visa decision is made by trained consular staff who review the information to ascertain whether a visa revocation is supported by the facts and law,' the spokesperson said. The White House press secretary has said the Department of Homeland Security used 'intelligence' to identify international student protesters who it thinks might have engaged in deportable offenses, but did not offer details. 'US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not working with or received any tips through the ICE Tip Line from the groups identified as Betar and Canary Mission,' a DHS spokesperson told CNN. According to Glick, when tipsters have flagged unidentified students and faculty, Betar has used facial recognition technology, artificial intelligence and open-source information such as social media postings and media appearances to help put names to the subjects. 'Once it became known through our circles that we were undertaking this process, and before I even got involved with Betar, I had people contacting me from all over the country,' said Glick, who said he left his Betar role to pursue other projects. Glick's X profile boasts photos and videos of a recent visit to Capitol Hill, and videos in which he appears to confront people at pro-Palestinian rallies. Even after leaving Betar, he wants to expose what he describes as an 'organized effort' against the Jewish community, he says. Betar also recently took credit for a pair of incendiary stickers that appeared on a pole on Harvard Law School's campus last week. The school sent a letter to students condemning the stickers, saying they were 'posted in violation of campus policies.' One of the stickers read, 'Don't be Mahmood Khalil. Be a racist if you want, just keep it to yourself #JFB (Jews fight back),' according to a Harvard University employee familiar with the incident. A different sticker read, 'I am a green card holder who loves America. I will never be deported. Are You?' the Harvard Crimson reported. Glick and Betar are not alone. The anonymously run Canary Mission website says it 'documents individuals and organizations that promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews on North American campuses and beyond.' It also says it will profile people who support efforts to boycott, divest from or sanction Israel or companies associating with Israel – which were among the demands of some campus pro-Palestinian protests last school year. The site, which says it gathers content from publicly available sources and invites tips, contains purported bios of students and others. Bio pages have subjects' photos, social media posts, media appearances and writings. A Canary Mission spokesperson told CNN by email the group is apolitical and does not have any contact with the Trump administration. The group said its research is posted publicly for anyone to see following what it describes as careful vetting and fact checking, and did not respond to a question about who operates Canary Mission. 'When people view the profiles on our site, we hope they understand that hateful actions and words do carry consequences,' the Canary Mission spokesperson told CNN. 'We believe sunlight is the best disinfectant, and by highlighting these behaviors, we encourage accountability and raise awareness of the widespread impact that antisemitic and hateful speech can have — both within and beyond campus communities.' Khalil, a legal permanent US resident, participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia last year before finishing his work on a master's degree there in was arrested outside his New York apartment March 8 after the Trump administration alleged, without providing evidence, that Khalil 'led activities aligned to Hamas.' His attorneys have denied he has any ties to Hamas. The Trump administration has argued, in part, Khalil is a threat to US security, citing a law that allows noncitizens to be deported if their presence has 'potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.' In a filing against this detention, Khalil's lawyers noted Betar's claim it had submitted to the government the names of hundreds of activists it wanted deported. His lawyers also highlighted a January 29 X post from Betar that said Khalil was 'on our deport list.' His lawyers also asserted the post falsely accused him of making inflammatory statements against Zionists. A day before he was arrested, Khalil emailed the university's interim president to ask for legal support and other protections, his lawyers said in a court document. In the email, Khalil cited what his lawyers called a 'dehumanizing doxing campaign against him,' according to the document. 'I haven't been able to sleep, fearing that ICE or a dangerous individual might come to my home,' Khalil wrote, according to a court document. After Khalil's detention, more arrests came. Ozturk, the Tufts doctoral student, was arrested March 24 near the Massachusetts school's Somerville campus. A Turkish national on a student visa, she is accused of having 'engaged in activities in support of Hamas,' a DHS spokesperson said, without specifying those activities. Her lawyers say she is unfairly being punished for speaking out for Palestinian rights. Canary Mission had profiled her, calling her a supporter of the movement to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel. It links out to a March 2024 opinion piece that Ozturk co-wrote in the school's newspaper in which she criticized Tufts' response to a student government group's call for the university to divest. Ozturk's brother issued a statement accusing Canary Mission of targeting Ozturk strictly for her political views. 'Canary Mission terrorizes supporters of Palestine by equating the Palestinian issue with terrorism and encourages the restriction of basic rights and freedoms,' Asim Ozturk wrote. Lawyers for other students detained or sought for deportation proceedings, including Momodou Taal and Yunseo Chung, also noted groups' efforts to identify the students, court documents show. Sara Rasikh, a University of Toronto graduate student who was born and raised in Pakistan and moved to Canada in 2013, learned Canary Mission had published information about her. Then she began receiving harassing messages and death threats on social media. The Canary Mission profile was created after she took a forward-facing role in pro-Palestinian protests on her college campus last year, acting as a spokesperson for an encampment on school grounds, Rasikh said. 'Many students avoid engaging in Palestine solidarity organizing out of fear for their future career, their immigration status, and that is no way for a society to be functioning,' Rasikh said. 'Doxing is not new – racialized movements have long faced surveillance, harassment, repression, all the different tactics, and Canary Mission is part of this legacy,' she said. Rasikh's Canary Mission profile shows screenshots of her social media activity, photos and video of her at protests, along with a biography describing her as a supporter of Hamas. 'I've never spoken to or about Hamas, but my headline says that I support Hamas, which isn't true,' she said. Rasikh said the online profile has resulted in harassment, impacted her mental health and professional prospects, and caused her to fear for her safety and suffer from anxiety and depression. 'They are creating these profiles and these personalities for us that are so distant from reality, taking what we're saying and twisting it to serve their narrative to incite fear and harm and violence,' Rasikh said. Privacy experts say while the groups' activities raise serious concerns that exposure could prevent people from demonstrating, their actions may be within legal limits because they rely on publicly available information. Groups like Betar and Canary Mission take information that is available across a range of disparate sources –- including social media feeds, pictures, school affiliations, LinkedIn profiles and even home addresses. But using publicly available information to compile a list of deportation targets – and sharing with government officials who may use it to direct law enforcement action solely on the basis of their political opinions – raises concerns that people's right to free speech and privacy is being infringed upon, said Megan Iorio, senior counsel and amicus director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a nonprofit research and advocacy group in Washington, DC. 'Even if people don't like what they're saying, they have the right to say it,' Iorio said. 'On top of that, what they're doing is then labeling these people as antisemites,' Iorio said. 'So, this label that carries with it a lot of weight that can have implications for their reputation, and now also their ability to either stay in the country or to avoid criminal penalties for just speaking is enormous.' Defamation, if something incorrect is published, could be the clearest available cause of legal action because of the potential reputational harm caused to the person whose photo is published, Iorio said. Protesters also could pursue legal remedies if they can show they were harmed, such as through harassment or violence, Iorio said. Sophia Cope, a senior staff attorney on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's civil liberties team, says a main problem would be if the government is using the groups' information to punish legally protected speech. 'People who go to protest should understand that they are exposing themselves to other people's cell phone videos, to media that's there,' Cope said. But 'if the government acts on information to punish the targets for what appears to be legal activity, that's the real problem,' she said. CNN's Jennifer Hansler and Sarah Boxer contributed to this report.
