U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and Palestinian student leader, on Saturday, according to a statement from Student Workers of Columbia.
Khalil was inside a Columbia University-owned residence when ICE agents entered his apartment and took him into custody.
According to his attorney, Amy Greer, ICE initially cited the revocation of Khalil’s student visa as the reason for his detention. However, upon being informed that Khalil was a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), ICE agents asserted that his permanent residency was also being revoked. The legal grounds for such an immediate revocation remain unclear, raising concerns about due process and constitutional protections.
Columbia University recently amended its campus security protocols, effectively reversing its prior “sanctuary campus” policy. The new protocol states that “exigent circumstances may allow for access to University buildings or people without a warrant.” This shift in policy has drawn criticism from legal experts and advocacy groups, as it permits law enforcement agencies, including ICE, to enter university property without obtaining a warrant under certain emergency conditions.
Legal scholars argue that such policies may conflict with the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and protects the due process rights of legal residents. Khalil’s arrest raises significant legal questions regarding ICE’s authority to revoke a green card without judicial review and whether the university’s policy change enabled federal agents to bypass constitutional safeguards.
Khalil was a prominent figure in student-led pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia, particularly following the October 7 attacks and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. As a key negotiator for Columbia’s Students for Justice in Palestine (ColumbiaSJP) and Columbia-Barnard Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP), he played a central role in discussions with university officials concerning student demonstrations.
These protests ultimately led to heightened security measures on campus, including restricted access and the cancellation of Columbia’s 2024 commencement ceremony.
The circumstances surrounding Khalil’s detention have sparked concerns among civil rights organizations about potential retaliation against student activists. Critics argue that his arrest may be part of broader efforts to suppress campus activism through immigration enforcement mechanisms.
ICE has not provided further details on Khalil’s current status or the legal basis for his detention. Columbia University has also declined to comment on individual cases but reiterated its commitment to complying with federal and state laws. Advocacy groups are calling for greater transparency and legal accountability in the handling of Khalil’s case.
Legal experts continue to monitor the situation, as Khalil’s detention may set significant legal precedents regarding immigration enforcement, constitutional protections, and university policies on law enforcement access to campus spaces.
