Overview

• Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, was arrested by ICE agents under contested claims of supporting Hamas, sparking widespread protests and legal challenges.
• The Trump administration has revoked federal funding for Columbia University, citing alleged failures to address antisemitism, while critics argue this is part of a broader attack on free speech and diversity programs.
• Columbia and other universities are facing intensified scrutiny, with immigration officials revoking visas of international students involved in pro-Palestinian activism and conducting campus searches.
• International students and faculty across the U.S. report feeling silenced and fearful of deportation, with some universities advising caution in public and online discourse.
• Civil rights advocates and academic groups warn that the administration's actions represent a significant threat to constitutional protections for free speech and academic freedom.