A prominent Palestinian activist, Mahmoud Khalil, was arrested on Saturday night by federal immigration authorities as part of a move that his attorney claims follows a State Department order to revoke his green card. Khalil, a recent graduate from Columbia University, was taken into custody at his university-owned apartment located near the Manhattan campus.
According to attorney Amy Greer, ICE agents entered the building where Khalil was staying and informed her via phone that they were executing an order from the State Department to revoke his student visa. When Greer clarified that Khalil was a permanent resident with a green card, the agent indicated that they would be revoking that status as well.
This arrest occurs amid heightened scrutiny from the Trump administration regarding foreign students and activists involved in protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza. The administration has specifically targeted Columbia University, recently announcing it would cut $400 million in grants and contracts due to what it perceives as the institution's failure to address antisemitism on campus.
Khalil's arrest is particularly distressing for his family, as his wife is eight months pregnant. Reports indicate that authorities did not provide her with any information on the reasons for his arrest, and he has since been moved to an immigration detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Greer expressed her frustration, stating, "We have not been able to get any more details about why he is being detained. This is a clear escalation. The administration is following through on its threats."
A spokesperson for Columbia University commented that law enforcement is required to present a warrant before entering campus property but did not disclose whether a warrant had been obtained for Khalil's arrest. The university's engagement in this situation raises questions about how institutions balance law enforcement cooperation with the rights of their students and staff.
Khalil has emerged as one of the most recognizable figures within the pro-Palestinian student movement at Columbia. He played a significant role during the student encampment protests last spring, where he was selected as a negotiator representing the student body in discussions with university officials. Khalil has made clear his stance, stating that protests will persist as long as his university continues to support systems that he deems to be oppressive, asserting, "As long as Columbia continues to invest and to benefit from Israeli apartheid, the students will continue to resist."
The episode surrounding Khalil's arrest reflects the increasing tensions and challenges faced by activists in the United States. The situation poses important questions regarding the intersection of immigration policy, rights of protest, and the role of educational institutions in political activism.
