Federal immigration authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist, in New York on Saturday. Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia University, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his university-owned apartment.
According to his attorney, Amy Greer, ICE agents said they were acting on State Department orders to revoke Khalil’s student visa. However, Greer stated that Khalil was a legal permanent resident with a green card. The agents then informed her that they were revoking his green card instead.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the arrest, linking it to President Donald Trump’s executive orders against anti-Semitism. Officials alleged that Khalil was involved in activities linked to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.
Khalil played a key role in Columbia University’s protests related to the war in Gaza. He was a negotiator for student demonstrators who had set up a protest encampment last spring. His activism had drawn criticism from pro-Israel groups.
The Trump administration has stated that it will revoke visas and green cards of individuals they accuse of supporting Hamas. However, legal experts say Khalil’s arrest raises concerns, as he has not been charged with a crime. His attorney also reported that his whereabouts remain unknown.
Columbia University declined to comment on the arrest but said law enforcement must show a warrant before entering university property. The university has also been investigating students involved in pro-Palestinian activism.
This arrest follows the administration’s decision to cut federal funding to Columbia over concerns about antisemitism on campus. The situation continues to develop as legal experts and activists debate its implications.
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