Federal immigration authorities arrested Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil on Saturday night, marking a major escalation in the Trump administration’s crackdown on student activists involved in anti-Israel protests.
According to The Associated Press, Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, was taken into custody from his university-owned apartment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Green Card Revoked on State Department Orders
Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, told the AP that she spoke with an ICE agent during the arrest, who initially claimed Khalil’s student visa was being revoked under State Department orders. When informed that Khalil was actually a U.S. permanent resident with a green card, the agent allegedly replied, “We’re revoking that instead.”
Homeland Security Cites Trump’s Anti-Semitism Orders
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, confirmed Khalil’s arrest in a statement to the AP, saying it was carried out “in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism.”
The arrest raises serious questions about how far the administration will go in its efforts to detain and deport activists—particularly those involved in protests critical of Israel.
What Happens Next?
With Khalil’s residency status now in limbo, legal experts warn that this could set a dangerous precedent for revoking green cards based on political activity.
Khalil’s legal team is preparing to challenge the arrest, but under Trump’s strict immigration policies, his future in the U.S. remains uncertain.
