Federal immigration officers arrested Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil on Saturday, marking a major escalation in the U.S. government’s crackdown on student protesters. Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia University, was taken into custody at his university-owned apartment in New York by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Why Was Khalil Arrested?
According to his lawyer, Amy Greer, ICE agents told her they were acting under State Department orders to revoke Khalil’s student visa. However, when she informed them that he was a legal permanent resident with a green card, they claimed they were revoking that instead.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Khalil’s arrest, saying it was part of President Trump’s executive order against antisemitism. A DHS spokesperson accused Khalil of leading activities linked to Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. government.
Khalil’s arrest is the first known deportation attempt under the Trump administration’s policy targeting students involved in protests against the war in Gaza. Officials argue that students who support Hamas should lose their right to stay in the U.S.
Concerns Over Khalil’s Detention
ICE agents also allegedly threatened to arrest Khalil’s wife, who is an American citizen and eight months pregnant. She was initially told he was being held at an immigration facility in New Jersey, but when she tried to visit, she was informed he was not there. As of Sunday night, his lawyer said she did not know where he was being held.
“This is a serious escalation,” Greer told reporters. “We still don’t have any details on why he is being detained.”
Legal experts have raised concerns about the arrest, questioning whether it violates Khalil’s rights as a green card holder, especially since he has not been charged with a crime. Camille Mackler, an immigration attorney, said the arrest appears to be “retaliation” for his political views.
Khalil’s Role in Columbia Protests
Khalil was an active participant in last year’s protests at Columbia University, where students set up a tent encampment demanding the school cut ties with companies linked to Israel. As a student negotiator, he helped discuss terms with university officials.
Pro-Israel activists have called for his deportation in recent weeks, arguing that his activism crossed the line into supporting terrorism. Columbia University has been investigating him and other students for allegedly organizing protests that glorified Hamas and for sharing social media posts criticizing Zionism. Khalil denies the accusations, saying he is being unfairly targeted for his political beliefs.
Government Actions Against Columbia
The Trump administration has already cut hundreds of millions in federal funding to Columbia University, accusing it of failing to prevent antisemitism on campus.
Khalil believes the university is punishing students to protect its funding. “Most of the accusations against me are based on social media posts I had nothing to do with,” he said. “They just want to silence pro-Palestinian voices.”
His arrest has sparked outrage among activists and legal experts, who see it as an attack on free speech. It remains unclear what legal steps will be taken next in his case.
