New York, NY – March 9, 2025 – Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and prominent Palestinian activist, was detained by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents at his New York City residence on the evening of March 8, 2025. The detention has sparked outrage among advocates who see it as part of a broader escalation targeting pro-Palestinian student activism in the United States.
Khalil, who played a leading role in organizing the Gaza solidarity encampment at Columbia University during the spring of 2024, was reportedly apprehended around 8:30 PM as he and his eight-months-pregnant wife entered their apartment building, which is owned by Columbia. According to advocates, two plainclothes DHS agents followed the couple inside, initially failing to identify themselves. After confirming Khalil’s identity, the agents informed him that his student visa had been revoked by the U.S. Department of State—a claim that perplexed Khalil and his supporters, given that he holds a green card and is a lawful permanent resident, not a visa holder. When confronted with this fact, the agents allegedly shifted their stance, asserting that his green card had also been revoked, though no official documentation supporting this claim has been publicly disclosed.
Khalil was initially taken to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in downtown New York before being transferred to the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility in New Jersey, where he remains in custody pending an appearance before an immigration judge. His attorney and advocates have condemned the detention as an overreach, arguing it reflects a chilling pattern of government action aimed at silencing dissent.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. college campuses. Khalil, a Palestinian of Algerian descent, emerged as a key figure during Columbia’s Gaza solidarity encampment, serving as a lead negotiator for student protesters demanding the university divest from financial ties to Israel. His activism drew significant attention, including media appearances where he criticized Columbia for what he described as an “anti-Palestinian narrative.” More recently, Khalil faced disciplinary action from the university, which accused him of misconduct tied to social media posts he claims he did not author. Despite successfully appealing those allegations, his detention has reignited concerns about retaliation against student activists.
Advocates point to a broader context for Khalil’s detention. The Trump-Vance administration, which has vowed to crack down on campus protests, announced plans this week to deport or imprison students perceived as “Hamas sympathizers,” explicitly citing Columbia as a focal point. The detention followed a targeted online campaign by pro-Israel groups and individuals, including Columbia professor Shai Davidai, who publicly called for Khalil’s visa revocation—despite his green card status. On March 6, Senator Marco Rubio, recently tapped as Secretary of State, posted on X that supporters of designated terrorist organizations like Hamas “threaten our national security” and should face visa denial or deportation, a statement some believe foreshadowed Khalil’s arrest.
Columbia University has not yet clarified its role in the incident, though ICE presence on campus has been reported in recent days. This marks a stark departure from the university’s stance during Trump’s first term, when then-President Lee Bollinger pledged to bar immigration officials from campus without a warrant. An email circulated to some students on March 8 reportedly provided guidance on “potential visits” by ICE, raising questions about the administration’s current posture.
Khalil’s detention has drawn swift condemnation from human rights and free speech advocates. Writers Against the War on Gaza called it an “abduction,” while social media erupted with the hashtag #FreeMahmoudKhalil, reflecting widespread alarm. Critics argue the action underscores a growing trend of government suppression of First Amendment rights, particularly targeting immigrant activists. “This is not just about one individual—it’s a signal to all activists that dissent comes with a cost,” said a spokesperson for a local advocacy group, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisal.
As of Sunday morning, DHS, ICE, and the State Department have not responded to requests for comment. Columbia University also declined to provide an immediate statement. Meanwhile, Khalil’s legal team is preparing to challenge his detention, with his wife and supporters rallying for his release. The case is poised to test the limits of free expression and immigration policy in an increasingly polarized political climate, with ramifications that could ripple far beyond the ivy-covered walls of Columbia.
This story is developing, and further updates will be provided as new information emerges.
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