Pro-Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Detained Following Arrest
Mahmoud Khalil, an activist known for spearheading pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University, will continue to be held in a Louisiana detention facility after a court appearance on Wednesday. The hearing, overseen by Judge Jesse Furman, resulted in an agreement allowing Khalil’s attorneys to conduct privileged phone consultations with him twice in the coming days.
Details of the Arrest
Khalil was apprehended by federal immigration agents on Saturday night at his apartment affiliated with the university. Initial reports indicated that he was taken to a detention center in New Jersey before being transferred to Louisiana. In court, Khalil’s legal team highlighted their inability to communicate with him until March 20 due to facility restrictions.
Judge Furman previously issued a temporary injunction preventing Khalil’s deportation, which barred government officials from proceeding until the Wednesday hearing. While his lawyers sought to relocate him to a facility closer to New York, no decision was made during the recent court session.
Legal Context and Implications
Amy Greer, one of Khalil’s attorneys, indicated that his arrest was executed under a directive from the State Department to revoke his student visa and green card. Khalil recently completed a master’s degree at Columbia University, and his situation has raised concerns both on and off campus, especially as he is married to an American citizen who is currently eight months pregnant.
Reacting to the arrest, Khalil’s wife described the experience as “a nightmare,” particularly noting the “intense and targeted doxxing campaign” against her husband prior to his detention. She stated that Khalil sought legal advice regarding the false narratives perpetuated about him but was arrested before any resolution was reached.
Government Response and Wider Reactions
President Trump indicated that Khalil’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown on individuals he characterized as “agitators” within U.S. educational institutions. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt remarked that Khalil “took advantage” of his privilege to study in the U.S. while allegedly aligning with groups like Hamas. Leavitt accused Khalil of distributing materials that supported Hamas, stating, “We have a zero-tolerance policy of siding with terrorists, period.”
While no formal allegations of material support for Hamas have been levied against Khalil, his legal representatives argue that his detention stems from his lawful expression of opinion, thereby infringing upon his First Amendment rights. In a statement, his attorneys asserted that Khalil was “chosen as an example to stifle entirely lawful dissent.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the government’s stance, defining this situation as separate from free speech concerns, stating, “No one has a right to a student visa… When you apply for a visa, we have a right to deny you for virtually any reason.” Rubio further suggested that individuals supporting Hamas should expect consequences for their actions in the United States.
Campus and Community Response
Khalil’s arrest has sparked protests both on the Columbia University campus and in Manhattan, drawing criticism from several students and professors. Katrina Armstrong, Columbia’s interim president, addressed the situation as a “challenging moment” for the university community, urging collective reflection on the values of higher education.
As Khalil remains detained, the focus will likely remain on the implications of his case for student activism and speech rights within academic institutions.
Author Information
Graham Kates is an investigative reporter at CBS News Digital. For further inquiries, contact Graham at Ka****@cb*****.com or gr*********@pr********.com.
