Green Card-Toting Palestinian Activist Arrested in ICE Crackdown on Campus Protests

Source: YouTube

Federal immigration agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student, marking a major escalation in the Trump administration’s crackdown on student protesters. Khalil, who played a key role in last year’s campus demonstrations against Israel, was taken into custody Saturday night in his university-owned apartment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

His lawyer, Amy Greer, confirmed that Khalil was detained despite holding a green card. “He is a lawful permanent resident. There is no legal justification for this arrest,” she stated. She has since filed a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention. The case has sparked an outcry from civil rights organizations, with activists calling Khalil’s arrest an attack on free speech and political activism.

The Trump Administration’s Stance on Student Protests

President Donald Trump has vowed to take action against international students involved in what his administration calls “pro-jihadist protests.” In a recent speech, he declared, “We will find you, and we will deport you.” The administration claims that some foreign activists have ties to U.S.-designated terrorist organizations, a charge Khalil and his supporters deny.

Khalil’s arrest comes just one day after the administration canceled $400 million in federal contracts and grants to Columbia University, citing the school’s failure to curb antisemitism on campus. Trump’s executive orders target foreign nationals who endorse or are associated with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, both designated terrorist organizations under U.S. law.

A Legal Battle Over Immigration and Free Speech

Khalil’s case presents a significant legal challenge. While ICE initially justified his arrest by claiming his student visa had been revoked, Khalil’s attorney insists that his status as a green card holder should prevent deportation. His wife, an American citizen who is eight months pregnant, attempted to visit him at an ICE detention center in New Jersey but was told he was not there, raising concerns about his whereabouts.

Legal experts argue that the Trump administration may be testing the limits of immigration law. While international students can lose visas for criminal activity, endorsing extremist views alone does not meet the legal threshold for deportation. Khalil has not been charged with a crime, though some groups have accused him of supporting Hamas-linked activism.

Columbia University and the Fallout

Columbia University has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of Khalil’s arrest. The school, which had been at the center of nationwide student protests over Israel’s actions in Gaza, is now facing pressure from both sides of the political spectrum. Pro-Israel groups have praised the administration’s actions, while student organizations have condemned them as an attack on academic freedom.

The university issued a statement reaffirming its legal policies, which said, “Law enforcement must have a judicial warrant to enter nonpublic University areas. Columbia is committed to complying with all legal obligations and supporting our student body and campus community.” However, it remains unclear whether ICE agents obtained a warrant before Khalil’s arrest.

Meanwhile, student activists have launched a petition demanding Khalil’s release, amassing over 300,000 signatures in less than 48 hours. Columbia’s faculty union, Student Workers of Columbia, has called on the school to become a sanctuary campus and protect students from federal immigration enforcement.

The Bigger Picture: Immigration Policy and Protest Rights

The Khalil case is the first publicly known attempt to deport a legal permanent resident under Trump’s student protest crackdown. This raises larger questions about the intersection of immigration policy and political activism in the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security defended its actions, stating that Khalil “led activities aligned to Hamas” and was therefore subject to deportation proceedings. However, legal scholars warn that deporting a green card holder without criminal charges sets a dangerous precedent.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case will test the boundaries of First Amendment protections for non-citizens and the extent of executive power in immigration enforcement. Whether Khalil remains in detention or wins his release, the outcome will likely have lasting implications for foreign activists and student protesters across the country.

Should legal permanent residents be subject to deportation for political activism? Tell us what you think.