Khalil's arrest comes shortly after the State Department announced its plans to use AI to revoke the visas of foreign students who are deemed "pro-Hamas". It also comes days after the New York Police Department was seen dragging students out of a sit-in at Columbia's Barnard College, where students were protesting against the expulsion of three students for protests and disruptions in 2024. Hours later, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X that the US would "be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported". Neither Rubio nor the DHS provided any details as to how Khalil's activism at Columbia University, where he had openly played the role of a student negotiator with administrators, amounted to supporting Hamas. On Monday, in a post on Truth Social, Trump described the arrest of Khalil as "the first arrest of many to come". "We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity, and the Trump Administration will not tolerate it," Trump said. Trump also revoked $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University, citing its failure to address ‘antisemitism’. Sparking Outrage The response from the university community and activist groups has been swift, with social media users and Democrats alike expressing their outrage. An Action Network petition was released shortly after news of his detention, and it received over a million signatures in just one day. Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar have called for Khalil's release. Utterly outrageous. This is un-American. The forced disappearance of Mahmoud Khalil for nothing more than constitutionally protected speech is a clear assault on first amendment rights and a blatant act of authoritarianism. Khalil must be released,” said Omar.On March 9, 2025, in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism, and in coordination with the Department of State, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student. Khalil led activities…
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 10, 2025
“Mahmoud Khalil is a kind, tireless advocate for justice," one student wrote on X. "The best person to have during a crisis. I will never forget freaking out when Columbia threatened the national guard on us during the encampment. Mahmoud was the voice of reason. His kidnapping is heartbreaking.” Another student also posted that Khalil was a grounding presence during campus protests. "As a jewish student at Columbia I can say without a single doubt in my mind that Mahmoud is one of the kindest, safest, most welcoming people I have ever encountered at this university. His presence brought an instant calm no matter how intense things were."Free Mahmoud Khalil. This is straight out of the fascist playbook. Criminalizing dissent is an assault on our First Amendment and freedom of speech. Revoking someone’s green card for expressing their political opinion is illegal. Protesting genocide is not a crime. https://t.co/fZDGfWSM2T
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) March 10, 2025
Mahmoud Khalil isn’t an illegal alien.
— Joshua Reed Eakle ? (@JoshEakle) March 10, 2025
He isn’t a terrorist.
He’s a Columbia graduate student and a legal U.S. resident. He's a husband. And his wife, a US Citizen—8 months pregnant—has no idea where he is.
The Department of Homeland Security snatched him off campus,… pic.twitter.com/ESDaPDNckQ
Mahmoud Khalil is Trump’s first political prisoner. They charged him with the “crime” of being antisemitic. There is no such crime. In America, you’re allowed to think or say anything you like. And they have no evidence he was antisemitic. He was arrested for criticizing Israel.
— Cenk Uygur (@cenkuygur) March 10, 2025
New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) issued a statement on Sunday, saying the “unlawful detention of Mr Khalil reeks of McCarthyism.” “Ripping a student from their home, challenging their immigration status, and detaining them solely based on political viewpoint will chill student speech and advocacy across campus. Political speech should never be a basis of punishment, or lead to deportation." The National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) also issued a statement calling upon students and faculty to participate in a day of action on Tuesday. "Our message to every university in this country is clear: succumbing to federal pressure by repressing your students will not save you." Jewish Voice for Peace described the arrest and detention of Khalil as "outrageous and blatantly unconstitutional and straight from a well-worn authoritarian playbook". Khalil's wife, who was not named, reportedly said in a statement from his defense counsel Monday night that she is pregnant and urgently wants his freedom so he can be present at the birth. "I urge you to see Mahmoud through my eyes as a loving husband and the future father to our baby," she said. "I need your help to bring Mahmoud home, so he is here beside me, holding my hand in the delivery room as we welcome our first child into this world."Mahmoud Khalil protested the US Govt for financing the murder of his people.
— Jabari Brisport (@JabariBrisport) March 10, 2025
Abducting him in the night, taking him away from his pregnant wife, and refusing to share his location is an attack on free speech and blatant fascism.
