NEW YORK – A prominent Palestinian activist, involved in organizing student demonstrations at Columbia University, is currently facing deportation after being apprehended by federal immigration authorities over the weekend. The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, who is a legal permanent resident, has been highlighted as a significant move by the administration as part of a broader effort to clamp down on dissent regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Khalil’s expulsion has been temporarily halted by a federal judge pending further review.
Incident Details
Khalil was taken into custody on Saturday evening while returning to his university housing in upper Manhattan with his wife. Agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security intercepted them, citing the revocation of Khalil’s student visa as the reason for his detention. Despite his wife presenting documentation that confirmed his status as a green card holder, authorities proceeded with his arrest. Khalil’s legal team has since filed a lawsuit challenging this action.
Reasons for Deportation
The Department of Homeland Security has accused Khalil of engaging in activities supportive of Hamas, a group classified as a terrorist organization. On Tuesday, the White House publicly accused Khalil of organizing protests that allegedly disseminated pro-Hamas material. Karoline Leavitt, speaking for the administration, emphasized that academic privileges should not extend to individuals reportedly aligning with terrorist causes. However, Khalil’s attorney, Samah Sisay, refuted these claims, asserting a lack of evidence linking Khalil to any terrorism-related support.
Mahmoud Khalil’s Background
Khalil emerged as a significant figure in the protests on Columbia’s campus last spring, also reflecting a broader global student movement. As a student negotiator, he liaised with university representatives, gaining visibility in media coverage. Recently, he became a subject of investigation by a new disciplinary authority at Columbia University addressing harassment and discrimination issues. Khalil completed his master’s degree in public administration from Columbia in December.
Legal Considerations
Khalil’s origin traces back to Syria, where he was born and raised after his Palestinian family was displaced. He came to the United States in 2022 on a student visa for his graduate studies. Following his marriage to an American citizen in 2023, he obtained legal permanent residency. Although green card holders can face deportation, the burden of proof rests with the government to establish grounds for deportation. Providing material support to a terrorist group can lead to expulsion without an accompanying criminal conviction.
Current Detainment
Khalil is currently detained at a federal immigration facility in central Louisiana, approximately 170 miles northwest of New Orleans. This facility, part of a network established during the first Trump administration, limits detainees’ access to legal services and family, a move criticized for undermining detainees’ morale.
Further Proceedings
A federal court in Manhattan has intervened to prevent Khalil’s deportation until a detailed judicial review can be conducted. His upcoming legal challenge is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, with a separate immigration hearing in Louisiana set for March 21. Khalil’s legal representatives argue for his due process rights, suggesting that the government’s actions infringe upon his First Amendment rights and target his political stance.
His wife, who is on the brink of motherhood, has made a heartfelt appeal for public support to bring Khalil back to New York to be present at the birth of their first child.
