Photo credit: www.foxnews.com
Anti-Israel Activist Arrested by ICE Sparks Controversy at Columbia University
In a development stirring significant controversy, Mahmoud Khalil, an activist known for his outspoken anti-Israel stance, was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at his residence on the Upper West Side of New York City. Reports indicate that Khalil had played a prominent role in protests and encampments at Columbia University for an extended period.
Khalil’s arrest occurred on Saturday, with ICE agents reportedly acting on a directive from the State Department to revoke his green card and student visa. However, his attorney, Amy E. Greer from Dratel & Lewis, declared that the detention was wrongful, asserting that Khalil is a legal permanent resident and not on a student visa. Greer stated, “Confronted with that fact, the ICE agents detained him anyway.”
COLUMBIA’S ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS SAY TRUMP PULLING $400M IN GRANTS FROM UNIVERSITY IS A ‘SCARE TACTIC’
Images from an anti-Israel protest encampment on April 29, 2024, show Khalil actively engaged on the Columbia University campus. Following his arrest, Greer filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the legality of Khalil’s detention.
According to Greer, initial information suggested that Khalil had been moved to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. However, discrepancy arose when his wife, a U.S. citizen who is eight months pregnant, was advised that Khalil was not located there. Reports have since emerged indicating he may be transferred to a facility as distant as Louisiana.
“We will vigorously pursue Mahmoud’s rights in court and seek to rectify this troubling and unjust situation,” Greer affirmed.
“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. The U.S. government has made clear that they will use immigration enforcement as a tool to suppress that speech. Many individuals and organizations have expressed support for Mahmoud and outrage at the government’s conduct, and have offered their assistance in the legal proceedings. Mahmoud greatly appreciates all of that support, as do we.” — Amy E. Greer, attorney at Dratel & Lewis
Columbia University did not confirm Khalil’s status but acknowledged the presence of ICE around campus. The Associated Press reported that Khalil graduated from the institution in December.
The university issued a statement emphasizing its adherence to legal protocols while reassuring the campus community of their rights. “Columbia is committed to complying with all legal obligations and supporting our student body and campus community,” the statement read.
FEDERAL AGENCIES TO REVIEW COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY’S CONTRACTS, GRANTS AFTER ‘FAILURE’ TO PROTECT JEWISH STUDENTS
Support has also come from civil rights organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which asserted Khalil’s lawful residency status and condemned the arrest as an attack on free speech. CAIR released a statement characterizing the actions of the Department of Homeland Security as a flagrant violation of both constitutional rights and immigration laws.
Allegations against Khalil are reportedly linked to his involvement with the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, where he is accused of promoting an unauthorized march that supported Hamas’ actions during the October 7, 2023, attacks. Khalil described the accusations as exaggerated, claiming many pertained to social media posts he was not responsible for.
“They just want to show Congress and right-wing politicians that they’re doing something, regardless of the stakes for students,” he expressed. “It’s mainly an office to chill pro-Palestine speech.”
Incidents surrounding Khalil’s arrest are emblematic of a broader trend where student activism, particularly related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, faces scrutiny and backlash. Just days prior, President Donald Trump threatened to deport foreign students involved in what he termed illegal protests and announced the termination of significant federal funding to Columbia, accusing the university of failing to protect Jewish students on campus.
The ramifications of this arrest and the associated actions by federal authorities are poised to have lasting implications on campus activism and the dialogue surrounding freedom of speech in educational settings.
Source
www.foxnews.com