Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil detained despite legal residency

In the United States, Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after a series of protests on campus regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Khalil, who holds a green card and is married to a U.S. citizen who is eight months pregnant, was arrested without any charges being filed against him. His detention follows a campaign to regain traction among students demanding to cut ties with Israeli institutions. Khalil's supporters believe his detainment is an attack on freedom of speech and an effort to silence proponents of the Palestinian liberation movement. The circumstances leading to Khalil's arrest included allegations from the Trump administration labeling him as a national security threat due to his activism. This response has raised concerns about governmental overreach, with critics arguing that such actions aim to intimidate foreign students and suppress dissent on college campuses. The arrest sparked protests, with students openly rallying against ICE's presence on university grounds. Many university students fear that such actions represent a larger trend toward the criminalization of political protest in the U.S. In the wake of Khalil’s detention, fourteen members of Congress signed a letter demanding his release, stating that he has not been charged or convicted of any crime. They argued that Khalil's situation exemplifies anti-Palestinian racism intended to impede the Palestine solidarity movement. Following the protests and letters from Congress, there are discussions within legal circles about the potential violations of Khalil's constitutional rights, including access to counsel and family visitation, which have been allegedly restricted. At present, Khalil’s legal counsel is challenging his arrest and requesting a court to return him to New York while the case develops, arguing that he was unjustly targeted and that his activism is protected under the First Amendment. His wife publicly shared her distress about the detainment, emphasizing her need for his support as they prepare for the birth of their child. This situation sheds light on broader debates surrounding immigration policy, civil liberties, and activism within the socio-political landscape of the United States, as Khalil's case continues to garner widespread attention.