Key Takeaways
- On March 9, 2025, ICE detained Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident, at Columbia University despite holding a green card.
- The detention aligns with Trump administration policies targeting activists, using stricter immigration rules like expedited deportation and political monitoring.
- Khalil’s legal team prepares challenges; detention raises questions about federal intervention in activism, free speech, and university integrity.
On March 9, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student leader at Columbia University 🇺🇸. Khalil, a prominent activist known for his role in pro-Palestinian protests, was arrested at his university-owned residence near the Manhattan campus. This incident is already raising sharp debates about immigration enforcement, student activism, and free speech.
What Led to Mahmoud Khalil’s Arrest?
According to reports, Mahmoud Khalil was taken into custody by several ICE agents who entered his residence on a Saturday evening. Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, has been active in campus protests supporting Palestinian rights. The agents initially claimed they were acting under orders from the State Department to revoke Khalil’s student visa. However, Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, later clarified that Mahmoud Khalil is not a student visa holder—he’s a permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States. Despite this clarification, authorities insisted on moving ahead with proceedings designed to strip Khalil of his resident status.
Khalil is now being held at an immigration detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey 🇺🇸. His arrest is seen by many as a reflection of President Trump’s latest efforts to tighten immigration enforcement and crack down on what his administration views as “illegal protests.” Mahmoud Khalil’s legal team is already preparing to challenge the detention in court, although specific details surrounding the charges remain unclear.
Khalil’s Background: Activism and Controversy
Khalil has been a visible figure in the student protests at Columbia University 🇺🇸, especially in the spring of 2024. He played an important role as a negotiator for students involved in a high-profile encampment on campus, which expressed support for Palestinian rights. The encampment gained significant attention, placing Khalil firmly in the spotlight.
His activism has drawn both support and criticism. Pro-Israeli organizations and activists have consistently argued that Khalil’s activities contribute to what they describe as an anti-Israel environment on campus. Some of these groups have recently been urging government authorities to take action against students involved in such protests, with specific focus on Mahmoud Khalil.
The Trump Administration’s Immigration Policies
The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil appears to align with the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement policies. President Trump has issued executive orders specifically targeting international students and activists that his administration claims are involved in protests or activities deemed “illegal.” On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed a series of executive orders to enforce stricter immigration controls. These policies include:
- Expedited Removal Procedures: Expanding the use of fast-track deportation processes to more categories of individuals.
- Changes to Humanitarian Policy: Reducing opportunities for those seeking Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or humanitarian parole.
- Reversals of Biden-Era Policies: A significant shift from civil immigration enforcement policies previously adopted during the Biden administration.
- Tougher Asylum Rules: Invoking Article IV of the U.S. Constitution to limit asylum-seeker access at the southern border.
Under this broader policy framework, President Trump has emphasized his administration’s commitment to deporting individuals involved in protests against Israel, labeling such activities as a threat to public safety and national security.
Reaction from Columbia University
Columbia University 🇺🇸, which has been an epicenter for political activism over the years, issued a cautious response to Khalil’s detention. The university’s spokesperson reaffirmed that any law enforcement action on campus requires a valid warrant. However, the university refrained from publicly sharing whether officers presented a warrant at the time of the arrest.
The administration expressed its intent to balance legal compliance with a commitment to supporting its student body. Critics have noted that the university has taken sweeping measures against student activists in recent months, including investigating dozens of students for their public expressions of criticism against Israel. Khalil was among those being investigated, suggesting increased scrutiny from both campus authorities and federal officials.
Legal and Civil Rights Concerns
The arrest has garnered intense backlash from civil rights advocates and legal experts, who argue that this could represent a dangerous precedent. Camille Mackler, founder of Immigrant ARC, noted that while permanent residents like Khalil can face deportation under certain circumstances, any such action must pass through an immigration court. Mackler highlighted the fact that immigration law grants green card holders certain protections, potentially making this a prolonged legal battle.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), however, has alleged links between Mahmoud Khalil’s activism and Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin provided no evidence to support these claims as of March 10, 2025. Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, called these allegations baseless and warned that this arrest represents a significant escalation in government actions aimed at silencing student activists.
Civil rights organizations have also weighed in. The New York Civil Liberties Union labeled Khalil’s detention “a retaliatory act” in direct response to his speech and association with peaceful political protests. These groups argue that the incident amounts to an abuse of immigration law as a political tool.
A Broader Context: Impact on Universities and Students
Khalil’s arrest is not an isolated event—it reflects deeper tensions between the Trump administration, universities, and student activists across the country. Just one day earlier, on March 8, 2025, the federal government announced it was cutting $400 million in funding previously allocated to Columbia University 🇺🇸. Officials justified this decision by accusing the university of failing to address alleged antisemitism linked to student protests. Critics, however, called the move an attack on academic freedom and an attempt to stifle dissent.
This has led to questions about the role of universities in protecting free speech and supporting students engaged in controversial movements. Khalil’s detention could serve as a test case for how far universities are willing—or able—to go in defending their students against government intervention.
International Implications
The arrest has sparked reactions beyond U.S. borders. Several international human rights organizations have called for Khalil’s immediate release, stating that his detention violates principles of academic freedom and peaceful protest. The issue has also deepened debates about the treatment of Palestinian voices globally, particularly within American institutions.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, students from around the world often face additional scrutiny when engaging in activism, especially when their causes involve sensitive geopolitical issues. For international and immigrant students, such scrutiny could result in legal harassment, visa revocations, and, in extreme cases, detention.
Moving Forward
What happens next in Khalil’s case remains uncertain. His legal team is gearing up to challenge the detention, but the timing and outcome of such efforts are unclear. The Trump administration has signaled that similar actions may follow, specifically targeting students or activists accused of anti-Israeli activities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly stated that the government will not hesitate to revoke visas and green cards under this policy.
For students and universities nationwide, Mahmoud Khalil’s case may carry long-term implications. His arrest raises important questions about immigration enforcement on campuses, the limits on political activism, and the power of federal authorities to intervene in educational settings. Institutions like Columbia University 🇺🇸 may come under further pressure to comply with federal policies while managing the legal and ethical challenges of supporting freedom of speech.
This intersection of immigration law, student activism, and campus policy is likely to remain a contentious battlefield. Mahmoud Khalil’s story may well set the stage for broader debates in the months to come. For individuals like Khalil, the fight is both a personal and political one, with consequences reverberating far beyond the walls of Columbia. To better understand these evolving challenges, readers can refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) webpage on green card holder rights and responsibilities.
Learn Today
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → U.S. agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including detaining and deporting individuals violating visa or residency rules.
Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) → A non-citizen legally authorized to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely but without full citizenship rights.
Expedited Removal Procedures → Fast-track deportation process allowing certain individuals to be removed from the U.S. without a full immigration court hearing.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A U.S. immigration status granting temporary protection to individuals from countries experiencing ongoing conflict or natural disasters.
Humanitarian Parole → Temporary U.S. entry granted to individuals for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, outside standard visa procedures.
This Article in a Nutshell
The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student leader at Columbia University, spotlights tensions between immigration law, activism, and free speech. As allegations swirl and civil rights groups rally, his case raises crucial questions: Can advocacy for controversial causes lead to legal retaliation? Khalil’s fight could shape the future of campus activism nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• New Zealand Offers Longer Work Rights to International Students
• UCLA Student Liu Lijun Loses Visa After Pro-Palestine Protests
• US to Revoke Student Visas for Posts Flagged as Pro-Hamas by AI
• US to Use AI to Revoke Visas of Students Linked to Hamas Support
• Denmark Plans Stricter Work Permits for Foreign Students
