ICE Arrests Columbia Protest Leader Mahmoud Khalil Amid Trump Crackdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist, was arrested by ICE agents at his Manhattan residence, marking the first publicly known deportation effort under Trump’s crackdown on student protesters. Federal officials revoked his green card, citing Trump’s executive orders on anti-Semitism and alleged ties to Hamas—claims his attorney disputes. Khalil’s whereabouts remain unknown, raising concerns over due process. His arrest comes as Columbia University faces federal scrutiny over pro-Palestinian campus protests, with critics calling the move a politically motivated attack on free speech.
Immigration Arrest of Columbia Activist: Quick Looks
- Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia graduate student, arrested by ICE agents in New York.
- Federal agents revoked his green card, citing Trump’s executive orders on anti-Semitism.
- First known deportation effort under Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian student protesters.
- Khalil’s wife, eight months pregnant, also threatened with arrest.
- Activists denounce arrest as retaliation, while the State Department defends deportation efforts.
- Columbia University under investigation for failing to curb alleged anti-Semitism on campus.
- Khalil’s current whereabouts remain unknown, raising legal and human rights concerns.
Deep Look: ICE Arrests Columbia Protest Leader Mahmoud Khalil Amid Trump Crackdown
Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Arrested in Immigration Raid
Federal immigration agents detained Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist, in his Manhattan apartment on Saturday night, marking the first publicly known deportation effort under President Donald Trump’s crackdown on student protesters.
According to his attorney, Amy Greer, Khalil was arrested inside his university-owned apartment, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers entered without warning. Greer initially argued Khalil was in the U.S. legally as a green card holder, but an ICE agent informed her they were revoking his residency status instead.
“This is a clear escalation. The administration is following through on its threats,” Greer told the Associated Press.
Khalil was a key organizer in Columbia’s high-profile campus protests against Israel and a negotiator with university officials during last year’s demonstrations over the war in Gaza. His arrest underscores the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to deporting foreign nationals linked to anti-Israel activism.
Trump Administration Justifies Deportation as Crackdown on “Hamas Supporters”
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, confirmed the arrest, stating it was carried out “in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism.”
- State Department officials allege Khalil’s actions were aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by the U.S.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the U.S. is “revoking visas and green cards of Hamas supporters in America”.
- Critics argue the arrest is politically motivated, targeting activists without formal criminal charges.
Concerns Over Due Process and Khalil’s Whereabouts
Khalil’s wife, who is eight months pregnant and a U.S. citizen, was also threatened with arrest by ICE agents, according to Greer.
“We have not been able to get any more details about why he is being detained,” Greer said.
Initially, Khalil’s family was told he was being held in an immigration detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. However, when his wife attempted to visit on Sunday, officials said he was not there, leaving his whereabouts unknown.
Legal experts argue that the arrest of a legal permanent resident without criminal charges is unprecedented and raises serious constitutional and human rights concerns.
“This has the appearance of a retaliatory action against someone who expressed an opinion the Trump administration didn’t like,” said Camille Mackler, founder of Immigrant ARC, a New York-based legal aid coalition.
Columbia University Faces Government Scrutiny
- The university’s Apartheid Divest group, in which Khalil was involved, has been accused of promoting Hamas rhetoric.
- Columbia is under federal scrutiny for allegedly failing to curb anti-Semitism, resulting in the Trump administration cutting hundreds of millions in funding.
- Khalil is one of dozens of students facing university disciplinary action over his role in organizing protests.
Legal and Political Implications
“The administration is using immigration laws as a weapon against political dissent,” said Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, a progressive advocacy group.
Immigration attorneys warn that Khalil’s case sets a dangerous precedent—potentially allowing green card holders to be deported based on political views rather than criminal activity.
With no clarity on Khalil’s current location, his supporters fear more arrests could follow, as the administration continues to target foreign-born activists involved in anti-Israel demonstrations.
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