Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by ICE agents without a warrant, according to new court documents.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement acknowledged the lack of a warrant, but the Trump administration argued the arrest was legally justified due to “exigent circumstances.” Khalil, a green card holder and pro-Palestinian advocate, was detained in early March. DHS claimed agents feared Khalil would “escape” before they could obtain a warrant.
Khalil’s legal team asked an immigration judge to terminate the case, noting the government presented no evidence that he resisted. “Attorney argument is not evidence,” they stated, emphasizing that “documentation and witness statements show Khalil fully complied with the agents arresting him.” His wife said she retrieved his green card for the officers and filmed the arrest.
A court filing from Thursday stated that Khalil’s failure to carry his green card, a misdemeanor, justified the detention.
“The warrant requirement applied and the agents were within lawful authority to arrest the respondent on March 8,” the document reads.
Held in Louisiana for nearly two months, Khalil was reportedly targeted for his role in organizing a pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia last year. A judge recently ruled he is eligible for removal, though his attorneys are appealing. A request to temporarily release Khalil so he could attend the birth of his child was denied. His wife gave birth earlier this week.
