Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student, was detained by DHS, with authorities claiming his activities were aligned with Hamas. His arrest follows targeted pressure from pro-Israel groups and raises concerns about First Amendment rights. Khalil’s legal status as a green card holder and the university’s recent actions against students protesting for Palestine contribute to a complex situation surrounding political activism on campus.

On March 9, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detained Mahmoud Khalil, a lead negotiator for pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University’s Gaza solidarity encampment. His detention followed a campaign by pro-Israel groups and is viewed by critics as an infringement of First Amendment rights. Khalil, an American green-card holder of Algerian and Palestinian descent, was apprehended while returning home after an iftar meal during Ramadan.

Khalil’s wife, who is pregnant, was present during the incident. Pro-Palestine group Writers Against the War on Gaza (WAWOG) reports he was taken without a warrant. Khalil is held in a DHS facility in New Jersey, but his whereabouts remain uncertain; when his wife sought to visit him, authorities claimed he was not at the facility.

WAWOG asserts that DHS has falsely claimed Khalil’s student visa was revoked, despite his legal status as a resident. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin later stated that Khalil was detained for activities alleged to align with Hamas, emphasizing enforcement of President Trump’s executive orders against anti-Semitism. However, she did not clarify his current location.

Columbia University acknowledged reports of ICE activity on campus, stating it adheres to legal requirements regarding law enforcement entry. Khalil’s detention occurred amidst escalating tensions regarding protests at the university, particularly against the backdrop of recent expulsions of students involved in pro-Palestine activism. This event marks a continuing pattern of arrests related to pro-Palestine demonstrations at Columbia University.

Pro-Israel groups and individuals, including Columbia professor Shai Davidai, expressed strong opposition to Khalil’s presence at protests, calling for his deportation. Davidai tweeted criticisms linking Khalil’s activities to terrorism. Additional online campaigns have suggested that Khalil is a foreign threat, with calls to revoke his legal residency indicated by groups monitoring campus activities concerning Israel.

In light of Khalil’s detention, Senator Marco Rubio announced that the State Department would broaden the scope of visa and green card revocations for individuals allegedly supporting Hamas. Simultaneously, the Trump administration suspended approximately $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, citing failure to address antisemitic harassment against Jewish students.

Columbia University has recently established an investigative office scrutinizing students’ political expressions related to Israel, demanding non-disclosure agreements from those wishing to review evidence against their peers. Reports of systemic intimidation emerged, with Khalil himself facing multiple accusations leading to an obstruction of his graduation plans, though he ultimately appealed and achieved a setback of the university’s actions. An online petition advocating for Khalil’s release has gained significant public support, exceeding 300,000 signatures.

The detention of Mahmoud Khalil by the DHS raises serious concerns about civil rights and the impact of political pressures on educational institutions. His apprehension highlights an ongoing debate regarding the intersection of free speech, national security, and academic freedom, particularly in regard to political activism surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As Khalil’s case unfolds, it reflects broader tensions within academic environments and governmental policies affecting activists who express dissent on sensitive issues.

Original Source: www.dropsitenews.com

Related posts:

Mahmoud Khalil: Columbia Graduate Arrested Amid Pro-Palestinian Activism Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Columbia Graduate Activist Mahmoud Khalil Trump Administration Signals Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Activism in Colleges Detained Columbia Activist Mahmoud Khalil Labeled as National Security Threat