ICE detains Palestinian activist at Columbia University despite green card status, attorney claims

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a key figure in Columbia University’s pro-Palestinian encampment movement, despite his legal status as a U.S. green card holder, his attorney said. Khalil was detained on Saturday night, with ICE claiming that his student visa had been revoked. However, his legal team insists that he was not in the country on a student visa at all, raising concerns about the legality of his arrest.

The incident has drawn scrutiny from civil rights groups and legal experts, who argue that immigration enforcement is increasingly being used to suppress political activism, particularly in light of student protests against U.S. foreign policy.

Why Was Mahmoud Khalil Taken Into Custody?

According to attorney Amy Greer, ICE agents detained Khalil despite being informed that he held lawful permanent residency in the United States. ICE officers reportedly justified the arrest by claiming that his student visa had been revoked, though Greer emphasized that this was not his current immigration status. Khalil, who is married to a U.S. citizen, had been actively participating in demonstrations at Columbia University, where tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have led to large-scale student activism.

Greer stated that her legal team attempted to clarify Khalil’s status with ICE, but agents refused to engage in further discussions. A representative of her law firm said that during a phone call with the agency, ICE officials hung up on Greer.

Where Is Mahmoud Khalil Being Held?

As of Sunday, Khalil’s precise whereabouts remained unknown, his attorney said. Greer’s legal team filed a habeas corpus petition overnight to challenge the validity of his detention and demand information about his location.

Khalil’s wife, who is eight months pregnant, attempted to locate him at an ICE facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he was allegedly transferred. However, she was unable to find him there. Greer later stated that he might have been relocated to Louisiana, though ICE has not confirmed his detention site.

Legal experts have warned that prolonged detention without clear communication about an individual’s location could raise constitutional concerns, particularly if due process rights are being violated.

Is the U.S. Government Using Immigration Enforcement Against Protesters?

Khalil’s arrest comes just days after President Donald Trump threatened to defund universities that allow “illegal protests” and warned that “agitators” could face imprisonment or deportation.

In a March 4 post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:

“All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

While ICE has not publicly commented on whether Khalil’s arrest was politically motivated, Greer claimed that it was part of a broader effort to suppress student activism, particularly at Columbia University, where students have been vocal critics of U.S. policy regarding Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

“The U.S. government has made clear that they will use immigration enforcement as a tool to suppress that speech,” she said.

How Has Columbia University Responded?

Columbia University released a statement on Sunday acknowledging reports of ICE activity near campus but reiterated its policy regarding law enforcement access to university grounds.

The statement read:

“Columbia has and will continue to follow the law. Consistent with our longstanding practice and the practice of cities and institutions throughout the country, law enforcement must have a judicial warrant to enter non-public University areas, including University buildings.”

The university did not confirm whether it had been aware of Khalil’s arrest beforehand or whether it had taken any steps to support him.

What Are the Implications of This Arrest?

The case has fueled concerns about whether federal immigration agencies are being used to monitor and target activists under the guise of immigration enforcement. Civil rights advocates argue that Khalil’s arrest—if based on incorrect immigration claims—could set a precedent for further government crackdowns on political speech.

If Khalil’s status as a green card holder is confirmed, ICE’s actions could come under intense legal scrutiny, particularly if it is found that he was detained without valid cause. His case will likely be closely watched by legal experts and advocacy groups who fear that immigration laws are being weaponized against protesters.