Columbia Graduate Mahmoud Khalil Faces Deportation After Arrest

Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and is facing deportation based on his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the arrest was part of President Trump's executive orders aimed at curbing antisemitic activities, alleging Khalil's alignment with Hamas. Khalil, who holds a green card, has not been charged with any crime, prompting concerns from civil rights groups about free speech and the treatment of permanent residents. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the government plans to revoke the visas and green cards of individuals identified as Hamas supporters. Khalil's detention has elicited strong reactions from advocacy organizations, which argue that his arrest is a violation of First Amendment rights. The case raises significant questions about the implications for activism and the rights of international students in the U.S.