Shocking Arrest! Palestinian Activist Seized in Midnight Raid Amid Campus Crackdown
In a dramatic escalation of the Trump administration’s crackdown on student activism, federal immigration authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, in a late-night raid on Saturday.
According to Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stormed his university-owned apartment, citing orders from the State Department to revoke his visa. However, when informed that Khalil was a legal U.S. permanent resident, the agents allegedly shifted course and revoked his green card instead—a move immigration experts are calling unprecedented and legally dubious.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the arrest, stating it was carried out in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism. Critics argue this is a targeted retaliation against pro-Palestinian voices, marking the first publicly known deportation effort under Trump’s new directive against student protesters linked to the Gaza war demonstrations.
Chilling Crackdown: Is Free Speech Under Siege?
Khalil was a high-profile figure in last spring’s Columbia University protests, negotiating with administrators on behalf of pro-Palestinian student activists. His vocal criticism of Zionism and alleged association with protest movements made him a lightning rod for pro-Israel groups, who have been demanding government action.
Adding to the controversy, ICE agents reportedly threatened to arrest Khalil’s wife, an American citizen who is eight months pregnant. The move has sparked outrage, with legal experts warning that this could set a dangerous precedent for politically motivated deportations.
As the Trump administration slashes federal funding to Columbia over what it calls the school’s failure to curb anti-Semitism, a new disciplinary office at the university has been investigating and sanctioning dozens of student activists—including Khalil—for their involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Documents obtained by the Associated Press reveal that Khalil was facing disciplinary action for allegedly helping to organize an “unauthorized marching event” and for social media posts criticizing Zionism.
Khalil, speaking to the AP just last week, dismissed the accusations against him as a political witch hunt.
“They just want to show Congress and right-wing politicians that they’re doing something, regardless of the stakes for students,” he said. “This is about chilling pro-Palestinian speech.”
Where Is Khalil? The Mystery Deepens
Since his arrest, Khalil’s whereabouts remain unknown. His lawyer initially located him in an ICE detention facility in New Jersey, but when his pregnant wife attempted to visit, officials said he was no longer there.
Legal experts are questioning the legitimacy and transparency of the government’s actions, warning that the case could mark a dangerous shift in the way the U.S. treats activists, legal residents, and immigrants.
As Secretary of State Marco Rubio doubles down on efforts to deport individuals accused of supporting Hamas, civil rights groups are sounding the alarm. Could this signal the beginning of a broader purge of activists? Is the Trump administration using immigration laws as a weapon against political dissent?
The silence from Columbia University and ICE has only fueled speculation. As the world watches, one thing is certain: This battle over free speech, activism, and political power is just beginning.
