In a dramatic escalation of immigration enforcement targeting political activists, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian activist and recent Columbia University graduate, at his university-owned apartment Saturday night. Despite holding lawful permanent resident status, Khalil now faces potential deportation in what critics describe as a dangerous precedent for free speech and constitutional rights.

Trump’s Executive Orders Target Campus Activism

The arrest comes shortly after President Donald Trump signed executive orders explicitly aimed at identifying and punishing individuals allegedly responsible for anti-Semitism on college campuses. These measures specifically authorize federal agencies to utilize existing laws to combat discrimination, with provisions that could lead to the deportation of non-citizens engaged in protest activities.

“These executive orders represent a coordinated effort to silence political dissent under the guise of fighting discrimination,” said civil liberties attorney Marjorie Stein. “Using immigration enforcement as a weapon against constitutionally protected speech creates a chilling effect that extends far beyond any individual case.”

Controversial Arrest Raises Legal Questions

According to Khalil’s attorney Amy Greer, ICE agents conducted the arrest without presenting a warrant, initially claiming his student visa had been revoked. When informed that Khalil holds a green card, agents reportedly stated that his lawful permanent residency status had been revoked—a claim that raises serious due process concerns.

The Department of Homeland Security later confirmed Khalil’s detention, alleging his involvement in activities aligned with Hamas, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly defended the administration’s approach, stating that individuals considered Hamas supporters would have their visas or green cards revoked to facilitate deportation.

Civil Rights Organizations Sound Alarm

The detention has sparked widespread condemnation from civil rights advocates who view it as part of a broader pattern of using federal agencies to suppress political dissent. The American Civil Liberties Union has announced plans to file an amicus brief in support of Khalil’s case.

“When the government starts detaining lawful residents based on their political speech, we’ve crossed a dangerous line,” said ACLU spokesperson James Morton. “This represents an unprecedented attack on both immigration rights and First Amendment protections that should concern every American, regardless of political affiliation.”

Campus Response and Growing Tensions

Columbia University has yet to issue an official statement regarding Khalil’s arrest, creating frustration among student activists who have organized rallies demanding the administration take a public stance. Students have expressed particular concern that someone with legal permanent resident status could be targeted in this manner.

“If they can come for someone with a green card in the middle of the night, who’s safe?” asked Sarah Lowenstein, a graduate student who participated in protests alongside Khalil. “This isn’t just about one activist—it’s about whether our universities will remain places where critical perspectives can be expressed without fear of government retaliation.”

Legal Proceedings and Constitutional Implications

Khalil is currently detained at an immigration facility in Louisiana awaiting court proceedings. His legal team has filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the legality of his detention and arguing that the arrest violates his constitutional rights to free speech and due process.

Constitutional law experts note that the case could have far-reaching implications for immigration enforcement and political expression. Professor Eleanor Hawkins of Georgetown Law Center explained: “The government is testing the boundaries of executive authority here. The courts will need to determine whether political speech can be used as grounds for removing someone’s legal immigration status without clear evidence of unlawful activity.”

The Bottom Line

Mahmoud Khalil’s case sits at the intersection of immigration policy, free speech protections, and national security concerns—highlighting tensions that have intensified under the Trump administration’s approach to campus activism. As legal challenges move forward, the outcome will likely shape the landscape of political expression for immigrant communities and campus activists across the country.

Whether the courts will ultimately permit the revocation of lawful permanent resident status based on protected political speech remains to be seen, but the precedent established could fundamentally alter the relationship between immigration status and constitutional rights in America.