Department of Homeland Security conducts search at Columbia University amid deportation efforts

In the United States on March 14, 2025, officials from the Department of Homeland Security executed a search of two dorm rooms at Columbia University. This search occurred shortly after immigration authorities detained Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate and pro-Palestinian activist, as part of a broader move by the Trump administration to deport him. The university's interim president, Katrina Armstrong, informed students that federal search warrants had been presented, emphasizing efforts made to ensure the safety of all students and faculty during the operation. However, it was noted that no individuals were apprehended and no items were taken during the search. Khalil has been accused of engaging in antisemitic activities connected to his activism but maintains a permanent resident status in the U.S. Protests at Columbia focused on Palestinian rights, with some Jewish students claiming the demonstrations became hostile and made them feel unsafe. The U.S. government has retaliated against the university by threatening to cut funding, citing a failure to protect Jewish students from perceived harassment related to the protests associated with the Israel-Palestine conflict, which escalated following the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023. The interventions of the Trump administration have drawn criticism regarding free speech and the chilling effect on dissent within academic institutions. Key figures at Columbia, including faculty members and students, have expressed concern over the implications of this crackdown on activism, drawing comparisons to historical periods of political repression, such as the McCarthy era. The revelations surrounding Khalil's case have stimulated a broader discussion about the climate of fear among students from diverse backgrounds who are wary of expressing political opinions, especially in light of recent federal actions.