A well-known Palestinian activist, Mahmoud Khalil, who played a key role in leading Columbia University’s student encampment movement, was arrested Saturday evening by federal immigration authorities. His attorney, Amy Greer, stated that the authorities claimed to be acting on a State Department directive to revoke his green card.
Khalil was apprehended at his university-owned apartment near Columbia’s Manhattan campus when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered the building and took him into custody. Greer reported that one of the agents informed her via phone that they were carrying out a State Department order to rescind Khalil’s student visa. Upon learning from the attorney that Khalil, who had graduated in December, was a permanent resident holding a green card, the agent indicated they were revoking that status as well.
The arrest occurred amidst President Donald Trump’s pledge to deport foreign students and detain “agitators” involved in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The administration had focused attention on Columbia, announcing a $400 million reduction in grants and contracts due to what it views as the Ivy League institution’s failure to address antisemitism on campus.
Khalil’s wife, who is eight months pregnant, was not provided with an explanation for his detention by the authorities, according to Greer. Khalil has since been transferred to an immigration detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Greer stated, “We have not received further information regarding the reasons for his detention. This situation represents a clear escalation, as the administration is carrying out its threats.”
A Columbia spokesperson mentioned that law enforcement must present a warrant before entering university property. The spokesperson did not confirm whether the university had received a warrant for Khalil’s arrest.
Requests for comments were made to the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and ICE.
Khalil had emerged as a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian movement at Columbia, notably during the student encampment initiative. He was selected to negotiate on behalf of students and engaged with university officials regularly. In September, upon the resumption of classes, Khalil told The Associated Press that the protests would persist: “As long as Columbia continues to invest in and benefit from Israeli apartheid, the students will resist.”
