Trump administration detains Columbia student for protesting Israel

In the United States, Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old graduate student at Columbia University, was arrested on March 8, 2025, at his university-owned apartment in New York. Following his arrest, he was transferred to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana. The Trump administration has cited a rarely used statute that allows the government to deport noncitizens whose presence is deemed harmful to U.S. foreign policy interests as the basis for his detention. Khalil, a legal U.S. resident who was born in Syria and is married to an American citizen, has become a notable figure amid the current administration's crackdown on various pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the nation. Khalil's case arises from his significant involvement in protests against Israel, which have received considerable attention for their intensity and accusations of antisemitism. Although Khalil was not arrested during the protests at Columbia and is not facing any criminal charges, the Trump administration has indicated it views his actions and public statements as a justification for deportation. In particular, officials have stated that Khalil's allegations regarding his plea for the university to end a protective encampment for pro-Palestinian students could be construed as support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by the U.S. government. The legal battle surrounding Khalil began in a federal court in New York before being transferred to Newark, New Jersey. The upcoming court session is crucial, as Khalil's lawyers will present their arguments for his release from detention. A key matter for the new judge is determining whether to maintain jurisdiction or transfer the case to Louisiana, as requested by the Trump administration. Legal experts have noted that such jurisdictional questions can significantly affect the outcome of immigration cases, highlighting the broader implications of Khalil's situation for students involved in similar protests across the U.S. Universities nationwide are witnessing a wave of immigration enforcement actions against students and faculty members participating in protests or expressing support for Palestinian rights. Other individuals involved in similar activism have faced visa revocations or arrest, including various students from diverse backgrounds at institutions such as Cornell, Georgetown, and Brown universities, among others. Khalil's situation, therefore, serves as a symbol of the broader climate of fear that has enveloped students advocating for Palestinian rights in America today.