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Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Detained by Trump Administration, Sparks Legal and Public Outcry

The detention of Columbia University graduate and green card holder Mahmoud Khalil raises concerns over free speech and immigrant rights in the U.S.

Demonstrators hold their ground near a main gate at Columbia University in New York, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, as New York City police officers move to clear the area after a building was taken over by pro-Palestinian protesters earlier in the day. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)
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Overview

  • Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, was detained by ICE agents under a rarely invoked immigration law targeting foreign nationals deemed a threat to U.S. foreign policy.
  • Khalil has not been charged with any crime, but the Trump administration alleges his pro-Palestinian activism aligns with Hamas, a claim his lawyers strongly deny.
  • The detention has led to widespread protests, including a demonstration at Trump Tower where nearly 100 people were arrested, and calls for Khalil's immediate release from civil rights groups like the ACLU.
  • Columbia University, under federal pressure, has faced $400 million in funding cuts and has expelled or suspended students involved in prior pro-Palestinian protests.
  • Legal experts argue Khalil's detention could set a precedent for targeting political speech, with his case potentially escalating to the Supreme Court.