Anti-Israel Activist Arrested by ICE Amid Columbia University Protests
An anti-Israel activist, identified by students as a leader of protests and encampments at Columbia University in New York City for several months, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to Fox News sources.
On Saturday, Mahmoud Khalil was taken into custody at his university-owned apartment on the city’s Upper West Side. The arrest drew a strong reaction from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who issued a warning to anyone supporting the Hamas terror group.
“We will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported,” Rubio wrote in a post on X.
ICE agents reportedly informed Khalil that they were acting on a State Department order to revoke his green card and student visa. However, Khalil’s attorney, Amy E. Greer of Dratel & Lewis, disputed the claims, stating that ICE agents “wrongfully arrested Khalil.”
“Last night, ICE agents wrongfully arrested Mahmoud Khalil, claiming his student visa was revoked – even though Mahmoud is a legal permanent resident (green card holder) and not in the U.S. on a student visa,” Greer said. “Confronted with that fact, the ICE agents detained him anyway.”
Greer added that her firm filed a habeas corpus petition overnight on Khalil’s behalf, challenging the validity of his arrest and detention. She also expressed concerns about Khalil’s whereabouts, stating that his wife, a U.S. citizen who is eight months pregnant, was unable to locate him despite being told he was transferred to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Reports suggest he may have been moved as far as Louisiana.
“We will vigorously pursue Mahmoud’s rights in court and continue our efforts to right this terrible and inexcusable – and calculated – wrong committed against him,” Greer said.
Backlash Against Government Actions
Greer condemned the arrest as part of a broader pattern of U.S. government repression targeting student activism and political speech, particularly criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“ICE’s arrest and detention of Mahmoud follows the U.S. government’s open repression of student activism and political speech, specifically targeting students at Columbia University for criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza. The U.S. government has made clear that they will use immigration enforcement as a tool to suppress that speech,” Greer stated.
Many individuals and organizations have reportedly expressed support for Khalil and outrage at the government’s actions, offering assistance in the legal proceedings.
Columbia University’s Response
Fox News reached out to Columbia University for comment, but the institution did not confirm Khalil’s status. The Associated Press reported that Khalil graduated from Columbia in December.
In a statement on its website, the university addressed reports of ICE activity around campus, emphasizing its commitment to following the law and protecting students’ legal rights.
“There have been reports of ICE in the streets around campus. Columbia has and will continue to follow the law,” the statement read. “We want to again communicate to our campus community that we have a protocol in place, which includes phone numbers to call in case you are approached on or off campus.”
The university also stressed that law enforcement must have a judicial warrant to enter non-public university areas, including residential buildings.
Support from Civil Rights Groups
A Muslim civil rights organization, CAIR National, also came to Khalil’s defense, describing him as a lawful permanent resident and condemning his arrest as an attack on free speech and immigration laws.
“Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil is a lawful permanent resident of our nation who has not been charged with or convicted of a single crime,” CAIR National said in a post on X. “The Department of Homeland Security’s lawless decision to arrest him solely because of his peaceful anti-genocide activism represents a blatant attack on the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech, immigration laws, and the very humanity of Palestinians. This fight is just starting.”
Allegations Against Khalil
The allegations against Khalil reportedly stem from his involvement with the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, which claimed he helped organize an “unauthorized marching event” that glorified Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and played a “substantial role” in circulating social media posts criticizing Zionism.
Khalil denied the accusations in an interview with the AP last week, saying, “I have around 13 allegations against me, most of them are social media posts that I had nothing to do with. They just want to show Congress and right-wing politicians that they’re doing something, regardless of the stakes for students. It’s mainly an office to chill pro-Palestine speech.”
Broader Context
Khalil’s arrest comes just days after former President Donald Trump threatened to deport foreign students involved in what he called “illegal protests” on college campuses. Additionally, the administration announced it would terminate $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing the Ivy League school’s failure to protect Jewish students on campus.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected].
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