Federal Agents Arrest Columbia University Student Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Palestinian graduate student, Mahmoud Khalil, known for his prominent role in last year’s pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University in New York City, was arrested by federal agents on Saturday, according to multiple fellow students. Khalil, a student at the university’s School of International and Public Affairs, was apprehended by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents at his university residence, sources stated.
Maryam Alwan, an undergraduate student at Columbia, along with three other students who requested anonymity due to fears of potential reprisals, confirmed the arrest. Khalil has been a key figure in negotiations with school administrators on behalf of the pro-Palestinian student protesters, who gained attention for establishing a tent encampment on a Columbia lawn last year.
The detention of Khalil has raised concerns among student activists, with some suggesting it represents an initial move by the Trump administration to follow through on its promise to deport foreign students involved in the pro-Palestinian protest movement. The demonstrations, which gained momentum following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military actions in Gaza, led to months of campus unrest across U.S. colleges and universities.
Columbia University officials have stated they are legally restricted from releasing information about individual students. Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, which oversees the country’s visa system, have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the arrest.
In an interview conducted with Reuters shortly before his arrest, Khalil expressed his concern that he was being targeted by the government and certain conservative pro-Israel groups for his media appearances and advocacy efforts.
The Trump administration announced on Friday the cancellation of government contracts and grants awarded to Columbia University, amounting to approximately $400 million. The administration cited alleged antisemitic harassment at and near Columbia’s Manhattan campus as justification for the funding cuts and the student deportation efforts.
Khalil, prior to his arrest, questioned what further actions Columbia could take to appease Congress or the government, considering the university had already twice called in police to arrest protesters and had disciplined numerous pro-Palestinian students and staff, including suspensions.
Khalil stated that Columbia had effectively silenced any voices supporting Palestine on campus. He argued that this silencing was not enough, and Trump was exploiting the protesters as scapegoats to advance a broader agenda of attacking higher education and the Ivy League education system.
Alwan, a Columbia senior who has participated in protests alongside Khalil, accused the Trump administration of dehumanizing Palestinians. She conveyed her horror for her friend Khalil, who is a legal resident, and expressed fears that this was only the beginning of a larger crackdown.
The grounds for Khalil’s detention by DHS agents remain unclear, and students have reported that he remained in custody as of Sunday. His wife is an American citizen.
The arrest has sparked outrage and concern within the pro-Palestinian student movement. Many see it as a direct assault on their right to protest and express political views. They argue that the government’s actions are intended to silence dissent and create a chilling effect on activism related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Legal experts have raised questions about the legality of targeting students for deportation based on their political activities. They emphasize the importance of protecting freedom of speech and academic freedom, even when those views are unpopular or controversial.
The incident underscores the intense scrutiny and pressure that pro-Palestinian student groups are facing across the country. Universities are grappling with how to balance the rights of students to express their views with concerns about campus safety and the potential for antisemitism or other forms of discrimination.
The arrest of Khalil is likely to further escalate tensions on college campuses and intensify the debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also raises broader questions about the role of government in policing political speech and the rights of foreign students in the United States.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as Khalil’s case proceeds. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses and the rights of international students.
