ICE Arrests Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Over Pro-Palestinian Protests, Deportation Blocked Amid Trump's Crackdown

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and recent Columbia University graduate, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his home on March 8. Khalil, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., had been a prominent leader in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, advocating for Palestinian rights and against Israel's actions in Gaza. His wife, who is eight months pregnant, was present during the arrest by plainclothes ICE agents. The arrest has sparked widespread protests in New York City, with thousands demanding Khalil's release. Demonstrators gathered at Foley Square and Federal Plaza, chanting for justice and the immediate release of Khalil. The protests have seen a heavy police presence, and some protesters were arrested during the demonstrations. Over 1.7 million signatures have been collected on a petition demanding Khalil's immediate release. President Donald Trump has praised the arrest, labeling Khalil a 'Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student' and indicating it as the 'first arrest of many to come' in a crackdown on campus activism related to Palestine. The Department of Homeland Security stated that Khalil's arrest was in support of Trump's executive orders aimed at combating anti-Semitism, alleging Khalil's involvement with activities aligned to Hamas. Khalil's green card was revoked, and he has not been charged with any crimes. A federal judge in New York has temporarily blocked Khalil's deportation, ordering that he remain in the U.S. until further legal proceedings. Khalil is currently detained in a facility in Louisiana, and his legal team is challenging his detention and seeking his return to New York, citing his First Amendment rights. The next court hearing is scheduled for March 12, and Khalil was a negotiator for Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition advocating for university divestment from Israel.