DHS Searches Columbia Amid Khalil Arrest Protests

Federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security executed search warrants at two Columbia University student residences, prompted by recent events involving Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate, detained by ICE for his role in campus protests. Interim President Katrina Armstrong confirmed the searches, which resulted in no arrests or confiscations, were conducted with judicial warrants, necessitating university compliance. This federal action follows the Trump administration's previous withdrawal of $400 million in federal grants due to alleged campus misconduct. Khalil's arrest has sparked protests and legal challenges, with calls for his release citing constitutional rights concerns, as he faces potential deportation on unsubstantiated links to Hamas. Columbia University maintains its commitment to legal protocols while ensuring campus safety and upholding free speech rights.