A Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University was arrested by US immigration agents on Saturday, signaling the Trump administration’s first direct move to deport foreign students involved in the pro-Palestinian protest movement on college campuses.
Mahmoud Khalil, a student at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, was taken into custody at his university residence by Department of Homeland Security agents, according to the Student Workers of Columbia union. Khalil holds a US green card, and his wife—an American citizen—is eight months pregnant.
The arrest sparked immediate concern among students and rights groups, with many viewing it as a retaliatory act targeting campus activism. Khalil had played a key role in organizing and negotiating on behalf of pro-Palestinian student demonstrators.
Trump targets foreign student protesters
The move appears to be in line with President Donald Trump’s recent vow to expel foreign students engaged in pro-Palestinian activism, which he has labeled antisemitic. His administration is pursuing both deportation measures and punitive action against universities accused of tolerating such protests.
Just one day before Khalil’s arrest, the Trump administration announced the cancellation of approximately $400 million in federal contracts and grants awarded to Columbia University, citing concerns over antisemitism on campus.
Khalil: A mediator, not an occupier
Khalil was not involved in the 2023 occupation of an academic building by protesters but acted as a liaison between student groups and university officials. He described the movement as anti-war and inclusive of Jewish students and organizations.
“They basically silenced anyone supporting Palestine on campus, and this was not enough,” Khalil told Reuters just hours before his arrest. “Clearly, Trump is using the protesters as a scapegoat for his wider agenda—attacking higher education and the Ivy League system.”
Federal officials respond
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on Khalil’s arrest, stating on social media: “We will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported.” Rubio did not provide further details, and his spokesperson declined to comment.
Columbia University issued a statement saying it could not disclose information about individual students but reaffirmed its commitment to student legal protections. The university recently updated its guidelines on how staff should respond to federal immigration agents on campus, allowing entry without a judicial warrant only in “exigent circumstances.”
Civil rights groups and students outraged
The New York Civil Liberties Union condemned the arrest, calling it unlawful and a blatant violation of free speech rights. “This is a frightening escalation of Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestine speech,” said Donna Lieberman, NYCLU’s executive director.
Maryam Alwan, a Palestinian American senior and fellow protester, said the move was deeply alarming. “I am horrified for my dear friend Mahmoud, who is a legal resident, and I am horrified that this is only the beginning,” she said.
Calls for divestment continue
Pro-Palestinian student groups at Columbia have long demanded that the university divest its $14.8 billion endowment from weapons manufacturers and companies that support Israel’s military. While the university has not agreed to those demands, it stated it is reviewing them through its advisory committee on socially responsible investing.
Columbia’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, said the school is committed to addressing antisemitism and is working with the federal government to respond to its concerns.
Khalil held in ICE facility
Khalil is currently being held at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His attorney, Amy Greer, has not commented on the case. Columbia officials confirmed that Khalil lived in a university apartment building located outside the main campus grounds.
The Student Workers of Columbia union condemned the university’s cooperation with federal agents, accusing the institution of caving to political pressure. “By allowing ICE on campus, Columbia is surrendering to the Trump administration’s assault on universities and sacrificing international students to protect its finances,” the union said.
With inputs from Reuters