Palestinian Activist Arrested By Immigration Agents Amid Crackdown on Student Protesters
Federal immigration authorities arrested Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil on Saturday, marking a significant escalation in the administration’s efforts to detain and deport student activists involved in protests against Israel. Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia University, was taken into custody at his university-owned apartment in Manhattan by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
According to his attorney, Amy Greer, ICE agents cited State Department orders to revoke Khalil’s student visa. When informed that he was a permanent resident with a green card, agents stated they were revoking that instead. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the arrest, linking it to executive orders aimed at curbing antisemitism and accusing Khalil of activities aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.
Khalil played a prominent role in campus protests last spring, serving as a negotiator for students engaged in discussions with university officials over a tent encampment demonstration. His involvement drew attention from pro-Israel activists who called for his deportation. The arrest follows recent disciplinary actions taken by Columbia University against students involved in pro-Palestinian activism.
During the arrest, ICE agents allegedly threatened to detain Khalil’s wife, an American citizen who is eight months pregnant. His whereabouts remain unknown, as his wife was informed upon visiting an immigration detention center that he was not being held there.
Legal experts have raised concerns over the arrest, noting the unprecedented detention of a legal permanent resident without criminal charges. Camille Mackler, founder of Immigrant ARC, described the move as retaliatory, suggesting it was driven by Khalil’s political views rather than legal grounds.
The Secretary of State stated that the administration is revoking the visas and green cards of individuals identified as Hamas supporters. The Department of Homeland Security has broad authority to initiate deportation proceedings against green card holders suspected of certain activities, including alleged support for terrorist organizations.
Khalil has been under investigation by Columbia University’s newly established office addressing allegations of antisemitism. The university has faced financial repercussions, with the administration cutting substantial federal funding over its handling of campus protests. Khalil has denied the allegations against him, asserting that he is being targeted for his activism and that many of the charges stem from social media posts unrelated to him.
The case highlights the administration’s aggressive approach to suppressing campus activism, raising concerns over due process and the broader implications for student protesters in the United States.
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