Federal immigration authorities arrested Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student known for his involvement in protests against Israel. The arrest, carried out in Khalil’s university-owned apartment, was prompted by State Department orders to allegedly revoke his student visa. Despite Khalil’s permanent resident status with a green card, ICE agents proceeded with the arrest, citing President Trump’s executive orders against anti-Semitism as justification.

Khalil’s detention marks the first publicized deportation effort under Trump’s crackdown on students who participated in Gaza war protests, with authorities accusing him of supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist group. The arrest, linked to Khalil’s protest leadership, was part of the administration’s vow to revoke visas and green cards of Hamas supporters for deportation.

The situation escalated as ICE agents also threatened to detain Khalil’s pregnant American citizen wife during the arrest. Despite efforts to locate Khalil in an immigration detention facility, his whereabouts remained unknown, raising concerns about the circumstances of his detention.

Legal experts questioned the basis of detaining a green card holder without criminal charges, suggesting a potential abuse of power for expressing dissenting views. Khalil’s activism, particularly his role in negotiating with university officials during campus protests, drew attention and criticism from pro-Israel groups, leading to investigations and disciplinary actions by Columbia University.

The ongoing targeting of pro-Palestinian activists like Khalil reflects broader tensions around free speech, activism, and alleged discrimination on college campuses, amid the government’s efforts to combat anti-Semitism. Khalil’s case underscores the complex intersection of immigration enforcement, political dissent, and academic freedom in a contentious socio-political landscape.