Trump admin detains pro-Palestinian campus protest leader

U.S. immigration authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of the protests at Columbia Universit

Khalil, a prominent figure in the university’s protest movement, was detained on Sunday, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which confirmed the action in a post on X. The agency stated that the arrest was made "in support of President Trump's executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism" and in coord

The Student Workers of Columbia Union confirmed Khalil's detention on Saturday, describing him as "a Palestinian recent Columbia graduate and lead negotiator for last spring's Gaza solidarity encampment."

The protests at U.S. campuses, including Columbia, were sparked by Israel's actions in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. These protests led to accusations of anti-Semitism, with some demonstrations turning violent, occupying c

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At the time of his arrest, Khalil held permanent residency. His detention prompted widespread support, with thousands signing a petition calling for his release. The union also reported that Immigration and Custom

Columbia University did not directly address the arrest but stated it had received reports of ICE agents in the area surrounding campus. The university affirmed that it adheres to the law, noting that law enforcement requires a judicial warrant to enter non-public campus areas.

The DHS described Khalil as leading activities linked to Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist organization, but did not provide further details.

In response to the protests, Trump condemned the student demonstrations and vowed to deport foreign students involved. He also threatened to revoke federal funding for universities he believed were not doing enough to protect Jewish students from harassment. In line with this, the Trump administration announced the withdrawal of $400 million in federal grants from Columbia University, accusing the institution of failing to protect Jewish students from discrimination.

This article was reported by journalist Jimmy.