Activist Arrest Tests Free Speech and Immigration Law in U.S.

The Trump administration's detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist, raises legal and constitutional questions as protests and legal battles unfold.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and legal U.S. resident, remains detained in Louisiana after his arrest on March 8 by ICE under a Cold War-era immigration law.
The Trump administration claims Khalil's activities, including pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, pose national security risks and adverse foreign policy consequences.
Khalil's legal team argues his detention violates constitutional rights to free speech and due process, as he has not been charged with any crimes.
Nationwide protests, including at Columbia University and in Boston, have erupted, accusing the government of targeting political dissent and free speech.
Columbia University faces federal funding cuts and scrutiny for its handling of campus activism, as the administration signals plans to expand similar actions against other activists.