In a significant development, Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student activist at Columbia University, has been transferred to a federal detention facility for migrants in Louisiana. This move comes as part of a broader crackdown by former U.S. President Donald Trump on anti-Israel demonstrations. Khalil’s legal team has initiated proceedings in Manhattan’s federal court to challenge his arrest, which took place at his Columbia apartment building.
As Khalil awaits deportation proceedings, his attorneys argue that his arrest was unlawful. The situation has drawn attention as Khalil is a prominent figure in Columbia's pro-Palestinian protest movement, which gained traction last year and sparked considerable debate across university campuses. Trump's social media post indicated that this arrest could be the first of many, asserting that Khalil's presence in the U.S. conflicted with national and foreign policy interests.
Despite the lack of formal charges against Khalil, reports suggest that federal immigration agents have been monitoring student housing near Columbia's Manhattan campus, intensifying concerns over governmental actions against international students. This heightened surveillance coincided with the Trump administration's announcement to withdraw $400 million in federal grants to the university.
According to the Student Workers of Columbia labor union, federal agents are reportedly attempting to detain another international student linked to Khalil’s case. This student received an unexpected email from the U.S. consulate in their home country, notifying them of a revoked visa. The union, which opted to keep the student’s identity confidential, claimed that federal agents attempted to access the student’s apartment without a judicial warrant, a move challenged by the union.
Spokespersons for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have refrained from commenting on these claims, citing confidentiality laws surrounding visa records. The union emphasized that the student wishes to remain anonymous to protect their privacy and educational pursuits. Columbia University has also stated that it cannot discuss individual student matters publicly.
Khalil's arrest, which occurred in front of his pregnant wife, a U.S. citizen, raised alarms about the treatment of activists. Agents informed Khalil that his student visa had been revoked, a claim contested by his attorney, Amy Greer. Khalil reportedly holds a permanent resident green card, which the agents also claimed had been revoked without explanation. This incident has sparked fears of governmental overreach against those who express dissenting views regarding U.S. support for Israel.
In his communication, Khalil expressed concerns that the government was targeting him due to his outspoken anti-war stance. Trump's administration has criticized Columbia University for allegedly permitting antisemitic behavior on campus, claiming that certain student activities promote terrorism and anti-American sentiments. Khalil and fellow activists contend that their criticisms of Israel and its backing by the U.S. government are mischaracterized as antisemitic.
Greer filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in federal court, seeking Khalil’s release and a halt to any attempts by DHS to move him out of New York. The petition argues that Khalil’s detention is a violation of his rights as a lawful permanent resident and is motivated by his protected speech under the First Amendment. Greer highlighted the chilling impact that threats of detention and deportation have on free expression.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the government has yet to respond to the petition. The case raises critical questions about the intersection of immigration policy, free speech, and activism within academic institutions.
