VIDEO: Judge stops Trump admin from deporting Palestinian Columbia graduate
A federal judge in New York has temporarily blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and recent Columbia University graduate who was arrested on Saturday night.
According to court documents, the judge issued an order preventing his removal from the United States until a scheduled hearing on Wednesday. It remains unclear whether Khalil will appear in court.
“To preserve the Court’s jurisdiction pending a ruling on the petition, Petitioner shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the Court orders otherwise,” the Monday filing stated.
The arrest of Khalil, a US permanent resident, has sparked widespread backlash from human rights groups, free speech advocates, and social media users.
Mahmoud Khalil was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Saturday upon returning home to his student residence with his wife, who is eight months pregnant. ICE agents reportedly informed Khalil that his student visa had been revoked. When his wife presented his green card to prove his legal residency, an officer allegedly responded that his green card would also be revoked.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later claimed in a social media statement that Khalil had been arrested due to his involvement in “Hamas-aligned activities,” without providing further details. His detention follows the US State Department’s recent announcement that artificial intelligence will be used to revoke visas of foreign students deemed "pro-Hamas."
Free speech concerns and widespread backlash
Khalil’s arrest has ignited fierce debate on social media, with critics arguing it sets a dangerous precedent for free speech and the treatment of pro-Palestine activists in the US. A petition demanding his release quickly gained traction, surpassing one million signatures in a single day.
Khalil had been a leading figure in the Columbia University pro-Palestine protests in April 2024, acting as a negotiator for students. Those who know him personally describe him as a peaceful and level-headed advocate.
"Mahmoud Khalil is one of the kindest and most reasonable people I’ve met," a Columbia student wrote on social media. "His arrest is heartbreaking." Another student, who identified as Jewish, said Khalil’s presence brought calm during tense moments on campus.
Accusations against Columbia University
Many students and activists are accusing Columbia University of cooperating with federal authorities in Khalil’s arrest. In response, the university issued a statement saying it remains committed to legal compliance and supporting its student community.
Former UN human rights official Craig Mokhiber called on Columbia faculty to take a stand. “History will judge those who stay silent,” he posted on X. “Either you stand for human rights, or you support apartheid and genocide.”
Civil rights organizations, including the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), have condemned Khalil’s detention, calling it an "extreme attack on First Amendment rights" and an "abuse of immigration law." The NYCLU likened the situation to McCarthyism, warning that such actions could have a chilling effect on student activism.
Political implications and growing concerns
Khalil’s arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of pro-Palestine activism on U.S. campuses. The Trump administration recently announced that Columbia University would lose $400 million in federal funding over accusations that it failed to combat antisemitism. Despite the university’s crackdown on pro-Palestine demonstrations, some argue that its actions were still deemed insufficient by the administration.
Trump himself weighed in on Khalil’s case, stating that his arrest is “the first of many to come.” He vowed to “apprehend and deport these terrorist sympathizers” permanently.
Many view Khalil’s detention as part of a broader effort to suppress pro-Palestine activism in the U.S. “His arrest is meant to intimidate us all from speaking out,” one social media user posted. “But we won’t stop advocating for Palestine.”
Others expressed frustration over what they see as the erasure of Palestinian identity, both in their homeland and abroad. “We can’t live freely in Palestine, in the US, or even in refugee camps. The goal is to make us disappear,” a Palestinian user wrote.
Khalil remains in ICE custody as legal and human rights groups call for his immediate release.
