Columbia University has become the epicenter of a burgeoning movement across U.S. campuses, as students protest in support of Palestine. The movement, which began with a tent encampment on Columbia's Manhattan campus last spring, has spread to dozens of colleges nationwide. However, the movement's momentum faced a significant challenge with the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a leading Palestinian activist closely associated with the protests.
Federal immigration authorities arrested Khalil on Saturday night, acting on what they claimed was a State Department order to revoke his green card. Khalil, who is a permanent resident of the United States, was informed by agents that they were executing an order to revoke his student visa. His attorney, Amy Greer, confirmed this during a press briefing. Khalil now finds himself detained at an immigration facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Khalil was not just any participant in the protests; he was one of its most visible faces and served as a negotiator for student demands. He frequently met with Columbia administrators in this capacity. Despite his efforts, tensions escalated when he refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement, leading the university to threaten blocking his graduation.
The university's response has drawn significant attention and scrutiny. Columbia has announced plans to cut $400 million in grants and contracts due to allegations of antisemitism on its campus. The university proposed that law enforcement must present a warrant before entering its property, highlighting the complex dynamics between campus policy and federal actions.
In response to criticism surrounding the protests, Columbia's Office of Institutional Equity established a disciplinary committee. This committee issued notices to numerous students for activities perceived as critical of Israel, such as sharing pro-Palestinian social media posts. Khalil himself stated, “I have around 13 allegations against me, most of them are social media posts that I had nothing to do with.”
The arrest and ensuing developments have sparked debate about free speech and activism on college campuses. Mahmoud Khalil has been vocal about what he perceives as attempts to suppress pro-Palestinian sentiments. He remarked, “They just want to show Congress and rightwing politicians that they’re doing something, regardless of the stakes for students.”
The arrest has raised questions about the intersection of activism and immigration status. The Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and ICE were all contacted for comments but have declined to provide statements.