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Columbia University Activist Mahmoud Khalil Arrested by Immigration Agents
Recent cellphone footage has surfaced, showing the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent anti-Israel activist affiliated with Columbia University, by federal immigration authorities. The two-minute video captures several immigration agents confronting Khalil in the lobby of his university residence, where they inform him that he is being taken into custody and instruct him to stop resisting. Khalil responds calmly, asserting, “There’s no need for this. I’m going with you. No worries.”
Filmed from the perspective of Noor Abdalla, Khalil’s wife who is eight months pregnant, the video was shared in a post by the ACLU. As Khalil is led away in handcuffs, he advises his wife to reach out to their lawyer, Amy Greer.
The situation escalated as Abdalla sought information about the arresting agents, only to be met with refusal. One agent stated, “We don’t give our names,” but did disclose that Khalil would be taken to immigration custody at 26 Federal Plaza. Abdalla, however, did not receive clarity on which agency the officers belonged to.
Khalil’s Statement on Arrest
Upon his detention, Khalil issued a statement from the facility where he is being held, characterizing his arrest as symptomatic of deeper societal issues. He faced potential deportation linked to his alleged support for Hamas. In a letter shared by his attorneys, he expressed his belief that his arrest highlighted “anti-Palestinian racism,” placing blame not only on immigration authorities but also on Columbia University’s administration. Khalil specifically criticized former university president Minouche Shafik for her administration’s lack of action regarding accusations of antisemitic conduct from campus activists.
Khalil articulated a broader context, suggesting that his detention was representative of a historical trend of anti-Palestinian sentiment that has been perpetuated by successive U.S. administrations. He stated, “My unjust detention is indicative of the anti-Palestinian racism that both the Biden and Trump administrations have demonstrated over the past 16 months as the U.S. has continued to supply Israel with weapons to kill Palestinians and prevented international intervention.” He further accused U.S. policies of contributing to the repression of Palestinians and Arab American communities.
Context of the Arrest
The footage of Khalil’s arrest coincided with the announcement from the Justice Department regarding an investigation into whether Columbia University had harbored undocumented individuals on its campus. Khalil’s activism, particularly organizing protests against Israel, positioned him in a prominent light within the various campus movements.
As the situation develops, Khalil’s case has drawn notable attention, raising questions about the intersection of immigration enforcement, political activism, and alleged racial biases within the framework of U.S. policy, particularly concerning Middle Eastern communities.
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