Protests erupt in New York City and Chicago today as activists and students demand the release of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, who was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the weekend. ICE officials stated that Khalil’s student visa was revoked due to alleged distribution of pro-Hamas propaganda, accusations that have fueled further controversy over the arrest. The student activist is currently being held in a Louisiana immigration detention facility, where a federal judge has temporarily blocked his deportation pending further legal review.
More than a dozen Democratic members of Congress have sent a letter to the Trump administration urging Khalil’s release, arguing that his arrest sets a dangerous precedent for political expression on college campuses. President Trump, however, has defended the decision, stating that Khalil’s arrest is “the first of many to come,” signaling a broader crackdown on individuals accused of inciting campus unrest through anti-Israel activism.
At the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the administration’s stance, emphasizing that the State Department reserves the right to revoke student visas if an individual is found violating visa conditions. Leavitt accused Khalil of distributing materials on campus that promoted violence, calling the fliers “disgusting” and affirming that his arrest was justified. Florida Senator Marco Rubio has also supported the revocation of Khalil’s visa, reinforcing the administration’s push for stricter immigration enforcement related to student activists.
On Columbia’s campus, student demonstrations continue to escalate. Hundreds of students walked out of class on Tuesday in protest, gathering outside university buildings as security forces monitored the situation, with helicopters hovering overhead. The protests have expanded beyond Columbia, with planned demonstrations at CUNY campuses in Lower Manhattan and other major universities. Activists argue that Khalil’s arrest represents an attack on free speech and academic freedom, while opponents claim it is a necessary measure to curb extremism on college campuses.
A federal hearing scheduled for tomorrow will determine whether Khalil will be released or face further immigration proceedings. His legal team has argued that the revocation of his visa was politically motivated and an overreach by federal authorities. The case has drawn national attention, with civil rights organizations and pro-Palestinian advocacy groups condemning the arrest, while conservative figures continue to defend the administration’s crackdown.
With tensions rising, the political and legal battle surrounding Mahmoud Khalil’s case is far from over. As the protests grow and legal proceedings unfold, his fate could set a significant precedent for how immigration laws intersect with student activism and political dissent in the United States.
Sources:
https://youtu.be/X5uOCzSKURE
https://youtu.be/sNsvV3l8yH4
https://youtu.be/gJW3dwdps5g
