Federal immigration authorities have detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student and prominent activist involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University. Khalil, who holds a U.S. permanent residency green card, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his university-owned residence near Columbia’s Manhattan campus on Saturday night.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has accused Khalil of leading activities aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. This action is part of President Donald Trump’s administration’s broader initiative to deport international students supporting groups deemed hostile to U.S. allies.
President Trump declares that the arrest of Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil, a key figure in the Columbia University protests, is just the beginning of a broader crackdown. Khalil was taken into custody by ICE agents on Saturday night. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that numerous individuals across the country have engaged in what he described as “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity,” vowing that his administration will not allow it to continue. He alleged that many demonstrators are not students but rather paid agitators. Trump warned that his administration is actively identifying what he called “terrorist sympathizers” and promised their deportation, ensuring they will “never return again.”
Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, has filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the legality of his detention, asserting that his arrest is an unlawful retaliation against his protected political speech. Civil rights organizations, including the New York Civil Liberties Union, have condemned the arrest as an attack on free speech and a dangerous precedent for political dissent.
The arrest follows the Trump administration’s recent decision to revoke $400 million in federal grants and contracts from Columbia University, citing the institution’s alleged failure to address antisemitic harassment on campus. The university has faced criticism for its handling of pro-Palestinian protests, with some Jewish students reporting feelings of threat and disruption.
Khalil has been transferred to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana, as his legal team continues to fight for his release. His arrest has sparked protests and petitions among students and faculty at Columbia University, reflecting deep concerns about civil liberties and the potential chilling effect on political activism within academic settings.
