Protests Erupt Following Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia University

Protests have initiated at Columbia University following the arrest of Palestinian graduate student Mahmoud Khalil by ICE. His detention has raised significant concerns over immigration enforcement related to political activism, particularly amidst claims linking him to Hamas. Columbia University and Khalil’s attorney emphasize the ongoing legal struggle regarding student rights and community advocacy.

Protests erupted at Columbia University in response to the arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student who has been actively involved in campus protests. Arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, Khalil faces the threat of deportation amid claims that he supports Hamas, as stated by the Trump administration.

Khalil was apprehended at his university-affiliated residence on a Saturday evening. He is a permanent U.S. resident with a green card and has been a prominent figure in anti-Israel demonstrations at Columbia University. According to his attorney, he is currently held at an immigration detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

The ICE agents reportedly communicated that they were following orders from the State Department to revoke Khalil’s student visa and green card. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that the government will take action against those the administration deems supporters of Hamas, asserting that Khalil is being investigated for activities aligned with this designated terrorist organization.

Mahmoud Khalil, born in Syria in 1995, completed his undergraduate studies in Beirut before obtaining his graduate degree from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs. He emerged as a leading activist, negotiating with university officials to end a protest encampment and becoming a focal point of criticism from pro-Israel advocates.

Recently, the university has initiated disciplinary actions against several students for their pro-Palestinian activism, including allegations against Khalil linked to the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group. These allegations entail organizing unauthorized events and promoting content perceived as anti-Zionist.

Khalil’s arrest represents an initial attempt by the Trump administration to deport alleged Hamas sympathizers from college campuses. The President has also halted $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University for its perceived inaction regarding harassment of Jewish students.

In a formal statement, Columbia University expressed its intent to comply with legal obligations while supporting student rights. Khalil’s attorney vowed to fight for his rights in court, denouncing his detention as an egregious wrong. Activists are rallying in support of Khalil, with protests planned at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building and a press conference by faculty leaders to condemn his detention.

Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest has ignited significant protests at Columbia University, reflecting broader tensions surrounding the treatment of pro-Palestinian activists. His situation raises critical questions about governmental actions against specific student groups amid allegations related to terrorism. As legal challenges are anticipated, the university’s commitment to student rights and community cohesion remains under scrutiny. The response to Khalil’s detention illustrates the complexities of immigration enforcement intertwined with political activism on college campuses.

Original Source: www.fox5ny.com