Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian activist and former student leader at Columbia University, was arrested by federal immigration authorities on Saturday night, sparking outrage from advocates who claim he was “disappeared” without legal justification.
According to his attorney, Khalil was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as he was returning to his apartment in a university-owned building. ICE agents allegedly cited plans to revoke his student visa, but Khalil no longer holds one—he graduated in December.
However, Khalil does hold a green card and is married to a U.S. citizen, who is eight months pregnant.
“ICE agents or the Department of Homeland Security cannot revoke a green card without due process,” said Murad Awadeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition. “You have to go through a court.”
Khalil’s legal team and supporters say his whereabouts remain unknown, with his attorney filing a habeas petition in court to locate him.
“It’s incredibly distressing to hear that Mahmoud Khalil has been detained by the Department of Homeland Security and has, in essence, disappeared,” Awadeh said. “He is a permanent resident of the United States.”
Khalil was a student negotiator during last year’s pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, when demonstrators set up an encampment on campus. His supporters argue that his arrest is part of a larger crackdown on student activism.
“ICE’s arrest and detention of Mahmoud follows the U.S. government’s open repression of student activism and political speech, specifically targeting students at Columbia University for criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza,” said his attorney, Amy Greer.
New York State Assembly Member Emily Gallagher weighed in, writing on social media:
“You can’t detain someone and revoke their legal status because you don’t like their speech. That’s not my opinion—it’s central to the rule of law.”
As legal challenges mount, Khalil’s supporters continue to demand his immediate release, arguing that his detention is a clear violation of due process and free speech protections.
