Students protest ICE detention of Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia University

In the United States, Columbia University students initiated a protest against the detention of Mahmoud Khalil by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This event took place on a Wednesday afternoon when several students chained themselves to a gate at St. Paul's Chapel on campus. Their primary demand was for the university to disclose which trustees had reported Khalil to ICE. Khalil, a Syrian national and former graduate student at Columbia, had been detained in early March under allegations of leading activities linked to Hamas. The protest involved chants, public displays, and a refusal to vacate their position until their demands were met. During the protest, students displayed signs and linked arms, intending to continue until the university's administration provided accountability regarding the trustees' actions. Approximately 80 protesters gathered at the scene, as reported by law enforcement. Columbia's university officials stated that the chaining to the gate constituted violations of the Rules of University Conduct, leading to the removal of protesters by public safety officers after two hours. Columbia has a long tradition of student-led political protests, with this recent incident being a reflection of ongoing tensions regarding student activism related to immigration policies and university governance. The protesters expressed their determination to continue their demonstration until they received clarity on the situation concerning Khalil, which raised significant concerns regarding civil liberties and university responsibilities.