ICE Arrests Palestinian Columbia Activist Amid Trump Crackdown on Campus Protests
Federal immigration authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, on Saturday in a move signaling the Trump administration’s aggressive push to deport student activists involved in pro-Palestinian protests.
Arrest Tied to Anti-Israel Protests and Alleged Ties to Hamas
Khalil, a key figure in Columbia’s anti-Israel campus demonstrations, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his university-owned apartment in Manhattan. According to his attorney, Amy Greer, ICE initially claimed Khalil’s student visa was revoked on orders from the State Department—but upon learning Khalil had a green card, agents said that was being revoked instead.
The Department of Homeland Security later confirmed Khalil’s arrest, linking it to President Trump’s executive orders targeting antisemitism. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin accused Khalil of leading activities “aligned to Hamas,” a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
Legal Questions and Disappearance After Detention
Khalil’s arrest is believed to be the first public deportation effort targeting pro-Palestinian student activists, part of a broader campaign that claims protesters forfeited immigration rights by supporting Hamas. His attorney said ICE also threatened to detain Khalil’s pregnant American wife during the raid.
Although Khalil was reportedly transferred to an immigration detention center in New Jersey, his wife was unable to locate him the next day. His legal team says his whereabouts remain unknown, raising further concerns about the government’s transparency.
“This is a clear escalation,” Greer said. “We still haven’t been told why he’s being held.”
Columbia Responds Cautiously; State Department Vows More Action
A Columbia University spokesperson declined to comment on the arrest or confirm whether ICE presented a warrant. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X that the government will begin revoking visas and green cards of Hamas supporters for deportation.
Immigration experts called the move unusual and legally murky, especially given Khalil’s status as a legal permanent resident who hasn’t been charged with any crime. “This looks like retaliation for expressing views the administration disagrees with,” said Camille Mackler of Immigrant ARC.
Activism Put Khalil in National Spotlight
Khalil had recently graduated from Columbia’s school of international affairs and played a leading role in negotiating with university officials during last spring’s Gaza-related protests. His activism made him a target of pro-Israel advocacy groups, and Columbia has also opened internal investigations into his conduct, including alleged support for an “unauthorized march” and critical social media posts about Zionism.
“They just want to show Congress and right-wing politicians that they’re cracking down, regardless of what it means for students,” Khalil told the AP last week.
