Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Columbia Activist Mahmoud Khalil Amid ICE Arrest and NYC Protests

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and recent Columbia University graduate, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Saturday. Khalil, who holds a green card and is married to a U.S. citizen who is eight months pregnant, was detained for his role in leading pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University last year. Born in Syria, Khalil has no criminal convictions and is a permanent resident of the U.S. His arrest has sparked widespread protests in New York City and other U.S. cities, with demonstrators demanding his release. A federal judge in New York has temporarily blocked Khalil's deportation, allowing time for a legal challenge to be heard. The judge's order came after Khalil's lawyers argued that his arrest was a retaliation for his advocacy for Palestinian rights, potentially violating his First Amendment rights. Khalil remains detained in an ICE facility in Louisiana, where he was transferred after initially being held in New Jersey. The Trump administration has justified Khalil's arrest and potential deportation by alleging his support for Hamas, though no criminal charges have been filed against him. President Donald Trump has stated on social media that Khalil's arrest is the first of many planned actions against students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, describing such activities as 'pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, and anti-American.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also commented that Khalil's case is not about free speech but about his status in the U.S. Khalil's case has drawn significant attention and support, with civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers condemning the arrest as an assault on freedom of speech. Jewish groups have been divided in their response, with some welcoming the move as a deterrent against campus antisemitism, while others criticize it as an attack on democracy. Khalil completed his master's degree at Columbia in December. A federal court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to further address the legality of Khalil's detention and the government's actions.