A well-known Palestinian activist, Mahmoud Khalil, was arrested by federal immigration authorities in New York City on Saturday night. His attorney, Amy Greer, reported that the arrest was executed based on an order from the State Department to revoke his green card.
Khalil was in his university-owned apartment near Columbia University when several Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entered and took him into custody. According to Greer, one of the agents stated that they were revoking Khalil’s student visa. When Greer informed the agent that Khalil had graduated in December and was a permanent resident with a green card, the agent insisted that they would revoke that as well.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed Khalil’s arrest was connected to an executive order from President Trump aimed at fighting anti-Semitism. They suggested that Khalil had led activities associated with Hamas but did not share specific charges against him.
When the ICE agents arrived, they also threatened to arrest Khalil’s wife, who is an American citizen and eight months pregnant. Greer indicated that the authorities did not provide clear reasons for Khalil’s arrest. Initially, it was reported that he was taken to an immigration detention facility in New Jersey, but his wife later found out he might have been moved as far away as Louisiana.
Greer stated their legal team would fight for Khalil’s rights in court. She expressed concern, calling the situation a “terrible and inexcusable” event that should not have happened.
President Trump’s administration has been increasing scrutiny on foreign students and protests related to the conflict in Gaza. Recently, the administration announced it would cut $400 million in grants to Columbia University, citing the school’s failure to address anti-Semitism effectively on campus.
Columbia representatives noted that law enforcement need a warrant to enter university property and declined to confirm whether a warrant was obtained for Khalil’s arrest. They released a statement emphasizing their commitment to legal compliance while supporting their students.
Khalil has been a key figure in the pro-Palestinian movement at Columbia. He played an important role during protests last spring, facilitating discussions between students and university officials. When classes resumed in September, he remarked that protests would continue as long as Columbia supports policies regarded as oppressive.
The news of his arrest created shockwaves across campus, with many students expressing concern for freedom of speech. One student shared that they were unable to concentrate in class after hearing the news, fearing that this incident was part of a broader assault on democratic freedoms in the U.S. Immigration attorney Naresh M. Gehi also criticized Khalil’s arrest as a violation of due process, noting that as a green card holder, Khalil has certain rights in the country that should be respected.
Check out this related article: Kean University Baseball Dominates North Carolina Wesleyan in Impressive Sweep
Source linkManhattan, Protests, Columbia University
