Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student and activist, was detained by ICE. He is a leader of Columbia United Apartheid Divest, a group with controversial ties. Khalil’s detention coincided with heightened tensions around campus protests and immigration issues.

Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, was recently detained by federal immigration officials. He is known for his activism on campus, particularly as a leader of the radical group Columbia United Apartheid Divest (CUAD). This organization demonstrates support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, advocating for a significant ideological shift regarding Western influence.

Khalil briefly worked as a political affairs officer for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which faced funding cuts following serious allegations regarding some of its members’ involvement in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that resulted in numerous casualties.

Khalil has been at the helm of disruptive protests at Columbia and nearby Barnard College, which have escalated into chaotic demonstrations over the past year. These protests have caused injuries and instilled fear among Jewish students and faculty members. Born in Syria in 1995, he obtained his undergraduate degree in Beirut before pursuing a graduate degree at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs.

His lawyer, Amy Greer, noted that Khalil is a permanent U.S. resident holding a green card. He has actively engaged with the university’s administration during protests, including the notable Gaza solidarity encampment held last spring. Although he was initially suspended for his participation in protests, the suspension was overturned within a day due to a lack of evidence.

Khalil has appeared on various news outlets discussing CUAD’s tactics and has been a prominent figure at protests, often seen using bullhorns and participating in communal activities on campus. At the time of his detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), his eight-month pregnant wife was also present in their apartment.

Mahmoud Khalil’s detention by ICE has generated considerable attention due to his active role in campus activism and his association with radical groups. His background as a political affairs officer and involvement in protests raises questions about the implications of his actions for public discourse within educational institutions. Khalil’s situation underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding immigration and activism, as well as the broader societal responses to such controversies.

Original Source: nypost.com

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