Former President Donald Trump has launched a crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters, following the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and activist. Khalil, who has legal permanent resident status, was detained by ICE on March 9, 2025. He played a key role as a lead negotiator between student protesters and the Columbia administration. Khalil's student visa was revoked after his arrest, he was transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana. A federal judge later halted his deportation and scheduled a hearing for March 12, 2025.
Trump praised Khalil's arrest on Truth Social, calling it "the first of many to come." He labeled Khalil as "a Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student," vowing to deport "terrorist sympathizers" from the country. Trump claimed that many students are engaged in "pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity," and accused some protesters of being "paid agitators." The Trump administration's actions have raised concerns about the violation of civil liberties, specifically in regard to the freedom of speech.
The Department of Homeland Security justified Khalil's arrest by stating he "led activities aligned to Hamas." They alleged he violated the terms of his student visa, even though he holds a green card. The Trump administration's policy shift has allowed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to announce plans to revoke visas of "Hamas supporters," while border czar Tom Homan cited potential crimes and property destruction. Trump referenced executive orders aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses.
Khalil's legal team argues that the arrest violates his First Amendment rights. New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed concern about the implications of the arrest, while Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee criticized the detention as authoritarianism.
The legal justification for detaining a legal permanent resident remains unclear. The Trump administration appears to be targeting foreign students involved in anti-Israel protests.
Federal funding for Columbia University has been frozen, and the Department of Education warned 60 colleges about possible repercussions. Protests have erupted in New York City and Washington D.C., with many demanding Khalil's release and raising concerns about free speech and student activism.
Critics argue the arrest criminalizes speech and expression.
