DHS Detains Prominent Columbia Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student and prominent leader in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, was detained by DHS agents at his university residence on Saturday. Khalil, an Algerian citizen and green card holder, has been a key negotiator for the protesters at a Gaza solidarity encampment, and his arrest follows a targeted campaign by pro-Israel activists. Reports indicate that DHS agents did not initially identify themselves and threatened to detain Khalil's pregnant wife if she did not leave the scene. Advocates assert that Khalil's detention was executed without a proper warrant, and they claim he was misinformed about the status of his visa. Khalil's detention is seen as part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism at U.S. universities, which has intensified following recent conflicts in the Middle East. His continued detention has sparked concerns regarding civil liberties and the treatment of activists in the U.S.