Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil arrested by ICE agents
- Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, was arrested by ICE agents at Columbia University for alleged involvement in anti-Israel protests.
- His wife recorded the arrest, raising concerns about due process and First Amendment rights.
- The case has sparked widespread protests and discussions about the implications for political activism in the U.S.
In March 2025, Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and graduate student at Columbia University, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New York City. The arrest took place at his university-owned apartment, where video footage recorded by his pregnant wife captured the moment. Khalil's detention sparked protests at the university, as many questioned the legitimacy of the government's actions against a legal resident. Khalil, a Palestinian raised in Syria, was reportedly facing possible deportation proceedings while being held in Louisiana. The circumstances surrounding Khalil's arrest are tied to his involvement in anti-Israel protests at Columbia, which garnered significant attention and backlash. He was accused of being associated with groups that support terrorist organizations, raising serious concerns about free speech and political activism on college campuses. The Trump administration, which instituted stricter immigration enforcement policies, has been characterized as targeting individuals like Khalil for their political beliefs. Supporters of Khalil assert that the government acted without proper justification, as no formal charges were brought against him at the time of his arrest, undermining due process. His wife expressed distress over the government's treatment of Khalil, emphasizing that the arrest was an attack on his First Amendment rights. Khalil's case is part of a broader conversation about the limits of free speech, particularly concerning activism related to contentious political issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As Khalil remains detained, his case could set a significant precedent for similar instances of political activism facing legal repercussions in the United States. This situation has sparked not only campus protests but widespread debates about the implications of freedom of expression under current immigration policies, particularly for those with opposing views against the U.S. government's stance in international conflicts.