Federal agents arrest former Columbia student, who led protests

JNS Staff

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Credit: ICE/U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, coordinating with the U.S. State Department, arrested Mahmoud Khalil, who completed his graduate studies at Columbia University in December, “in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting antisemitism,” the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated on Sunday.

“Khalil led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization,” the department added. “ICE and the Department of State are committed to enforcing President Trump’s executive orders and to protecting U.S. national security.”

“We will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported,” wrote Marco Rubio, the U.S. secretary of state, in response to an Associated Press story about the arrest.

According to the ICE website, a Mahmoud Khalil, who is from Syria, is in the custody at Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility in New Jersey.

Several senators supported Rubio’s statement.

“Terrorist sympathizers have no place in our country,” stated Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.).

“Who else is glad this pro-Hamas agent of antisemitism has been detained?” wrote Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). “So many people want to immigrate to America,” he added. “We don’t need those who support genocidal war criminals.”

“President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are sending a clear message to terrorist sympathizers,” wrote Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.). “I’ve been calling for this in the Senate, and I’m thankful we have leadership in this new administration that is standing up for what is right.”

“Obtaining a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” stated Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.). “Friends of Hamas—don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

Khalil’s lawyer said that he was arrested in Columbia housing at about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night, the Columbia Spectator, a student paper, reported. “The agents said they were detaining him because the State Department had revoked his student visa, but Khalil is a green card holder and a lawful permanent resident,” his lawyer told the Spectator.

Columbia stated on Sunday that “there have been reports of ICE around campus.”

A view of protesters demonstrating outside the campus of Columbia University in New York City on April 25, 2024. Credit: Evan Schneider/U.N. Photo.

“Columbia has and will continue to follow the law. Consistent with our longstanding practice and the practice of cities and institutions throughout the country, law enforcement must have a judicial warrant to enter non-public university areas, including university buildings,” the university stated. “Columbia is committed to complying with all legal obligations and supporting our student body and campus community.”

The university also released a “further” statement on Sunday, in which it stated that “there have been reports of ICE in the streets around campus. Columbia has and will continue to follow the law. 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.”

“Consistent with this protocol, and consistent with our longstanding practice and the practice of cities and institutions throughout the country, law enforcement must have a judicial warrant to enter non-public university areas, including residential university buildings,” it stated.

“Columbia is committed to complying with all legal obligations and supporting our student body and campus community,” it added. “We are also committed to the legal rights of our students and urge all members of the community to be respectful of those rights.”

Khalil’s lawyer told the Associated Press that ICE agents also sought to arrest Khalil’s wife, “an American citizen who is eight months pregnant,” per the news wire.

“The Trump admin is going after students, who have used their First Amendment, constitutional rights. This is unacceptable,” wrote Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who has a long history of criticizing Israel. “Deporting legal residents solely for expressing their political opinions is a violation of free speech rights. Who’s next? Citizens?”

“Finally! An anti-Jewish activist Mahmoud Khalil, who led the pro-Hamas mobs at both Columbia University and Barnard College, has been arrested by ICE agents at his campus apartment,” wrote Brooke Goldstein, executive director of the Lawfare Project.

“Khalil faces having his visa revoked and his green card canceled following President Trump’s long overdue crackdown on unrest at colleges,” Goldstein wrote. “Godspeed. Good riddance.”

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