A Palestinian activist involved in anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and Barnard College has been arrested by ICE agents, according to his attorney. Mahmoud Khalil, who led the Columbia University Apartheid Divest movement, was taken into custody on Saturday evening in his university-owned apartment near campus.
Khalil, who graduated from Columbia University in December, could face the revocation of his student visa and green card as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on unrest at U.S. colleges. Despite completing his graduate studies months ago, Khalil continued to live in school-provided housing due to university policy allowing graduates to remain on campus. He has remained active in protests, including a recent occupation of the Milstein Library at Barnard College.
The protest featured materials supporting Hamas and Hezbollah, including flyers justifying the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Videos show Khalil participating in the protest, where he used a bullhorn and interacted with school administrators.
Columbia University responded to Khalil’s arrest by releasing a statement emphasizing that law enforcement must have a judicial warrant to enter non-public university spaces. The university reiterated its commitment to supporting the campus community while complying with legal obligations.
Khalil’s supporters quickly condemned his arrest, calling it a “racist targeting” and an attempt to intimidate pro-Palestinian activists. A petition for his release quickly gathered over 349,000 signatures. Khalil has been a vocal figure in the university’s protests against Israeli policies, claiming that the protests would continue until “the empire crumbles.”
The arrest comes amid broader protests at Columbia and Barnard Colleges, where demonstrators have occupied buildings in opposition to the expulsion of students who distributed pro-Hamas materials in January. These protests have drawn criticism from local leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul, who has called for swift disciplinary action against those involved.
Khalil’s detention also follows President Trump’s vow to deport foreign student activists linked to campus unrest. The ICE action comes days after Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from Columbia University for not adhering to anti-discrimination laws.
Related topics:
