Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil's Arrest Raises Legal and Civil Rights Concerns

The Trump administration cites national security in detaining the Columbia graduate, sparking debates over due process and free speech.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and green card holder, was arrested by ICE agents under a rarely used McCarthy-era provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
The Trump administration accuses Khalil of supporting Hamas and leading antisemitic protests, though no criminal charges have been filed against him.
Khalil’s lawyers argue his detention violates constitutional rights, emphasizing his peaceful activism and lack of evidence for the allegations.
A federal judge has temporarily stayed Khalil’s deportation, granting limited access to his attorneys while jurisdictional disputes over his case continue.
The case has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates and Jewish groups, highlighting concerns over government overreach, free speech, and the targeting of dissenters.