ICE Arrests Mahmoud Khalil, Revoking Green Card, Amid Trump's Crackdown on Hamas Support

Federal immigration authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student and activist, on Saturday night at his university-owned apartment near Columbia University's Manhattan campus. Khalil had been a prominent figure in last spring's anti-Israel protests at the university. His arrest is part of President Donald Trump's efforts to deport international students involved in such protests, which the administration has characterized as supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Khalil's attorney, Amy Greer, reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents initially claimed they were revoking Khalil's student visa, but upon learning he was a legal permanent resident with a green card, they stated they were revoking his residency instead. Khalil's wife, an American citizen who is eight months pregnant, was also present during the arrest. Despite initial reports suggesting Khalil was detained in Elizabeth, New Jersey, his whereabouts remained unclear as of Sunday night. ICE agents also threatened to arrest Khalil's wife during the incident. The arrest led to protests in New York City, with hundreds rallying to demand Khalil's release. Demonstrators marched through the city, chanting for justice and the release of Khalil, whose green card was revoked. The action has been condemned by civil rights groups as an attack on free speech and political expression. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Department of Homeland Security justified the arrest, citing Khalil's alleged leadership in activities aligned with Hamas. This move aligns with Trump's executive orders aimed at combating antisemitism and deporting foreign nationals supporting terrorist activities. Trump claimed Khalil's arrest was the first of many to come, and his administration has cut funding to Columbia University over its handling of the protests. Khalil was involved in negotiating the end of a tent encampment on Columbia's campus last year, following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Khalil's lawyers are challenging the legality of his detention.