Federal agents have apprehended a Palestinian student, identified as Leqaa Kordia, for overstaying her student visa after taking part in protests at Columbia University last spring. Her visa was terminated in January 2022 due to lack of attendance. Additionally, immigration officers from Newark, New Jersey, arrested a Columbia doctoral student from India, Ranjani Srinivasan, accused of supporting Hamas, who self-deported earlier in the week after her visa was revoked by the State Department. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the importance of upholding the privilege of studying in the U.S. by revoking visas for those advocating violence.
Concerns have arisen among Columbia students regarding potential unjust targeting, especially following federal agents executing search warrants on campus residences. The Justice Department is collaborating with DHS to investigate allegations of Columbia “harboring and concealing illegal aliens on its campus,” as stated by U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. This has led to apprehension among foreign students, despite school officials reassuring that no arrests were made during the searches.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student, was arrested last Saturday, adding to the tension on campus. While many students fear government retaliation and prefer not to comment, there is solidarity among American students in support of their international peers. The recent events have left students feeling uneasy about potential government intervention and campus raids. Some students expressed concerns about being targeted due to their involvement in past demonstrations, with one student mentioning feeling stressed about the situation.
Columbia’s American students are standing in solidarity with their international counterparts amidst the tense atmosphere on campus. The university’s interim president informed students of the judicial search warrants served by DHS, causing shock and fear among the student body. Despite efforts by the school to ensure student safety, limitations exist in addressing these concerns, leading to heightened anxiety among students. Student leaders have conveyed their fears to school officials, highlighting the need for support and understanding during this challenging time.
“He mentioned that many individuals are fearful of potential retaliation and hesitate to report incidents to public safety or the NYPD, or seek support services from the administration,” he explained. Khalil, a 30-year-old Algerian citizen and pro-Palestinian activist married to a U.S. citizen, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents aiming to revoke his green card and deport him from the country. He was apprehended at his university-owned residence.
According to a document from the Department of Homeland Security obtained by NBC News, it was stated that Khalil’s presence or activities in the U.S. would lead to serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Currently detained in Louisiana, government authorities wish to keep him there, but his legal representatives argue for his return to New York, claiming the administration’s actions infringe upon the First Amendment.
Khalil’s removal from the campus occurred shortly after the Trump administration’s announcement of canceling around $400 million in federal grants to the university, citing the school’s failure to address ongoing harassment of Jewish students. Proposed policy changes include prohibiting masks used for intimidation and granting full law enforcement authority for dealing with disruptive individuals. Columbia University has pledged to cooperate with the administration, emphasizing its commitment to combating antisemitism and prioritizing student safety.
A DHS spokesperson revealed that Khalil’s arrest was carried out in conjunction with ICE and the State Department to enforce President Trump’s executive orders against anti-Semitism, alleging Khalil’s association with Hamas, a designated terrorist group. This incident added to the turmoil on campus following last year’s student protests that led to numerous arrests for trespassing. The school recently announced suspensions, expulsions, and temporary diploma revocations of involved students.
On Friday, heightened security measures were observed at the university’s entrance amid a student walkout in response to Khalil’s arrest and the imposed sanctions. University leaders aim to foster unity among the faculty and students by addressing ways to uphold the institution’s autonomy amidst pressure from the Trump administration targeting international students engaged in pro-Palestinian activism. Some faculty members view the administration’s demands as encroaching on fundamental university principles and seek to prompt discussions on the university’s values and identity.
An administrator, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly, noted the university faculty and staff were more focused on defending the university amidst internal divisions. A graduate student from India expressed a desire to participate in student-led protests regarding Khalil’s removal from campus, but hesitated due to concerns about jeopardizing her student visa. “Your freedom of speech is limited. As students, you should have those rights, but you don’t,” the 29-year-old student remarked. “You are aware of what’s happening, you want to voice your opinion, but as an international student, you find yourself in a challenging situation, don’t you?”
