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Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Detained by ICE Over Alleged Hamas Ties

Federal agents arrested Khalil, a Columbia graduate and green card holder, citing national security concerns, sparking legal and free speech disputes.

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Mahmoud Khalil (Ted Shaffrey / Associated Press)
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Mahmoud Khalil stands outside the gages of the Columbia University Campus in New York on April 30, 2024. Khalil, a graduate student at the university, was notified by the school that he has been suspended.

Overview

  • Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and legal U.S. permanent resident, was arrested by ICE agents at his Columbia University residence on Saturday.
  • The Trump administration alleges Khalil has ties to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, though no criminal charges have been filed against him.
  • Khalil's lawyer and civil rights advocates argue the arrest is a violation of his First Amendment rights, linking it to his pro-Palestinian activism on campus.
  • A federal judge has temporarily blocked Khalil's deportation while legal proceedings are underway, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday in New York City.
  • The arrest has drawn widespread criticism from free speech groups and civil rights advocates, while Trump has defended it as part of a broader crackdown on antisemitism.