Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student who served as a representative of students in negotiations with the administration of Columbia University, has been arrested by U.S. federal immigration authorities.
Khalil played a central role in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus last year, and was detained at the university’s dormitories in Manhattan by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
First Step in the New Policy
Khalil’s arrest is considered the most significant step so far under the Trump administration against foreign nationals expressing support for Hamas and other terrorist organizations. The U.S. administration clarified that international students who voiced support for terrorism during protests against Israel may lose their residency permits and could be deported from the country.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio resolutely posted on his X account: “We will revoke the visas and green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported.”
We will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported https://t.co/oKba2Mmi3C
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 9, 2025
“The Administration is Following Through on Its Threats”
Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, said she was informed that the ICE was acting on instructions from the U.S. State Department to revoke Khalil’s residency permit, including the cancellation of his Green Card. “We have not been able to obtain further details regarding the reason for his arrest,” said Greer. “This is a clear escalation. The administration is following through on its threats.”
Khalil was transferred to an immigration detention center in New Jersey. His wife is American, and eight months pregnant.
Internal Campus Investigations and Administration Actions
Khalil is also under internal investigation by Columbia University due to his participation in organizing pro-Palestinian demonstrations that allegedly included support for the Hamas terror attack on October 7th. The university’s new investigative office is examining whether his activities violated campus regulations, and constituted incitement to antisemitism.
Concurrently, the Trump administration has increased oversight of Columbia University, going as far as revoking $400 million in grants and contracts due to its “failure to eradicate antisemitism on campus.”
This arrest marks a serious escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to combat pro-terror activities within the United States, signaling a severe warning to individuals expressing support for Hamas or similar groups.
