Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions
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Let’s talk about something that’s making waves right now: the arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. If you’ve been following the situation at Columbia University and the larger pro-Palestinian movement, you’ll know that Khalil has been a central figure in student protests. But now, in a move that many are calling politically motivated, federal immigration authorities have taken him into custody.
According to reports, Mahmoud Khalil was arrested Saturday night at his university-owned apartment near Columbia University in New York. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents allegedly entered the building and detained him, claiming that his green card was being revoked. Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, stated that the agents cited a State Department order to revoke his student visa. However, Khalil had already graduated last December and was in the U.S. as a permanent resident. The decision to revoke his green card has raised serious legal and constitutional concerns.
Khalil’s arrest comes at a time when former President Donald Trump has vowed to take harsh action against foreign students involved in protests, particularly those opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza. Just last week, the administration announced a $400 million cut in grants and contracts to Columbia University, criticizing the school’s handling of what they claim is rising antisemitism on campus. This crackdown appears to be part of a larger effort to stifle pro-Palestinian activism at universities across the country.
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To make matters worse, Khalil’s wife, who is eight months pregnant, was left in the dark about why her husband was being detained. He has since been transferred to an immigration detention facility in New Jersey. His lawyer says they still haven’t been given any clear explanation for his detention, calling it an escalation of government tactics against student activists.
For months, Khalil had been one of the most vocal leaders in Columbia’s pro-Palestinian movement. He was instrumental in organizing student encampments and served as a negotiator with university officials. His stance was clear: as long as Columbia continues to have financial ties to Israel, protests would continue.
Adding another layer to this situation, a new university disciplinary committee had been investigating Khalil and other students who spoke out against Israel. According to documents obtained by the Associated Press, the committee accused Khalil of various infractions, most of which were related to social media posts. Some students have even claimed that the committee’s main goal is to silence pro-Palestinian voices on campus.
What’s even more alarming is that immigration authorities do not have the power to unilaterally revoke a green card. That decision must come from an immigration judge. But now, with reports that the State Department is using AI to identify individuals it deems supportive of Hamas or other groups, it seems clear that Khalil is being targeted for his activism rather than any legitimate legal issue.
Many advocacy groups and legal experts are calling this a dangerous precedent. Murad Awawdeh, CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, issued a statement condemning the arrest, calling it an unconstitutional act meant to instill fear and suppress free speech. He demanded Khalil’s immediate release, emphasizing that due process is a fundamental right for everyone in the U.S., regardless of their political beliefs.
This case isn’t just about Mahmoud Khalil. It’s about the broader implications for student activists, freedom of speech, and the growing efforts to police dissent on college campuses. If authorities can suddenly strip away someone’s legal status for speaking out, what does that mean for the future of activism in America? We’ll be watching closely to see how this unfolds.
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