Mahmoud Khalil, a well-known Palestinian activist involved in the student protest movement at Columbia University for a Gaza ceasefire, was arrested by federal immigration authorities on Saturday night outside the campus gates in New York. The arrest, reportedly based on a State Department order to revoke his green card, is seen as part of President Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses.
The US Department of Homeland Security stated that Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, was arrested for his alleged association with Hamas, a designated terrorist group. This move follows the government’s targeting of students engaging in pro-Palestinian activism, particularly at Columbia University.
Khalil is currently detained at a facility in Jena, Louisiana, after being transferred from New Jersey over the weekend. His attorney criticized the government’s use of immigration enforcement to stifle political speech and activism, while legal experts point out that only an immigration judge has the authority to revoke someone’s immigration status.
Despite the State Department’s refusal to comment on Khalil’s case, a protest demanding his release is scheduled at New York City’s Federal Plaza. Khalil’s arrest is seen as one of the initial actions following Trump’s threats to deport foreign students participating in anti-Israel protests on college campuses.
At the apartment building owned by the university where he resides with his wife, who is a US citizen, Writers Against the War on Gaza issued a news release stating that DHS agents informed Khalil, a lawful permanent resident with a green card, that his student visa had been revoked, despite the fact that he does not hold a student visa. When Khalil’s wife, who is eight months pregnant, presented his green card to the agents, one agent appeared confused and acknowledged, “He has a green card.” However, the agents later claimed that the State Department had also revoked his green card. Khalil’s wife contacted his attorney, who attempted to intervene by requesting a copy of the warrant, but the agent abruptly ended the call.
Columbia University confirmed on Sunday that there were reports of ICE presence around campus and emphasized their commitment to following the law. The university did not respond to inquiries about whether a valid warrant for Khalil’s arrest had been received, as stated in their announcement.
A town hall for Columbia students to help navigate the situation is scheduled for Wednesday, according to a message to the student body. The Trump administration’s grounds for the arrest were based on a provision of immigration law that grants broad authority to determine individuals subject to deportation, according to a senior Homeland Security official.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, individuals believed by the Secretary of State to pose potential serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the US are deemed deportable. This provision was cited as the basis for detaining Khalil. The process of addressing allegations can extend for months, and individuals in custody may still seek relief pending a judge’s decision.
Former ICE acting director John Sandweg noted that using such a provision to deport a green card holder is uncommon and often involves additional immigration charges. He suggested that the administration may also rely on another provision allowing deportation based on perceived adverse foreign policy consequences.
Pro-Palestinian student protesters established a tent encampment at Columbia University in April.
On October 24, 2024, Nikita Payusov/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images captured activists and friends fighting for the release of a Columbia University student involved in campus protests over Israel’s actions in Gaza. These protests have sparked demonstrations across university campuses in the US and abroad. After an incident where protesters seized a campus building resulting in arrests, Congressional Republicans questioned Columbia’s then-President Minouche Shafik about the university’s response to antisemitism. Shafik later resigned, and a university task force reported instances of discrimination against Jews and Israelis on campus during the demonstrations.
Recent protests at Columbia-affiliated Barnard College have focused on the expulsion of students accused of disrupting an Israeli history class, leading to arrests following a building occupation. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators defend their criticism of Israel over Gaza and call for a ceasefire, emphasizing that their actions are not antisemitic. Since Hamas’ attacks in 2023, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and displacement.
At various universities, protesters demand divestment from companies supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza. Khalil, a student negotiator during the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia, protested the university’s financial ties to corporations profiting from Israeli policies. His activism aimed to advocate against genocide and use privilege to support marginalized communities. Khalil faced university sanctions for his involvement with the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, which focused on criticizing Israel’s actions and advocating for divestment.
Khalil informed the AP that there are approximately 13 allegations against him, many of which are related to social media posts that he claims he was not involved with. Despite Khalil’s arrest, activists continue to engage in pro-Palestinian causes, though there is a heightened sense of concern for their safety, according to Khan. She expressed that fear and anger have spread among the group, stating, “If this can happen to one of our group’s best members, then it can happen to anyone.”
Khan emphasized that Khalil’s arrest is not deterring activists but, in fact, is uniting and strengthening their efforts. The Trump administration is escalating its crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices, with Columbia University being the initial target. This move comes amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023.
In response to reports of Khalil’s detention, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced intentions to revoke the visas and green cards of Hamas supporters in America for deportation. Professor Robert Cohen criticized the administration for labeling protesters as “pro-jihadist,” calling it dangerous and an oversimplification. He highlighted that many individuals in the movement oppose the war due to civilian casualties.
The Trump administration’s use of immigration threats against student protesters is deemed “xenophobic” and reflective of a “police state mindset” by Cohen. Civil rights groups, including the ACLU and CAIR, have expressed outrage over Khalil’s arrest, calling it illegal and an attack on free speech and immigration laws. New York Attorney General Letitia James voiced her concerns about the situation.
Khalil has been arrested, and it has been reported that her office is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with his attorney. Murad Awawdeh, the president of the New York Immigration Coalition, strongly criticized Khalil’s arrest and stated that targeting the activist undermines his First Amendment rights. He described this unconstitutional action as a disturbing indication that freedom of speech is no longer safeguarded in the United States. As Khalil’s friends and legal team work to locate his place of detention and push for his release, Taha and Khan emphasize that their efforts to shed light on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the financing of the war will not be hindered. CNN’s Lauren Mascarenhas contributed to this coverage. To stay updated with more CNN news and newsletters, sign up for an account at CNN.com.
