Columbia Activist's Arrest Raises Debate Over Immigration Policy and Free Speech

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-born activist and legal U.S. resident, faces deportation after being accused of ties to Hamas, sparking legal and political disputes.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and legal permanent resident, was arrested by ICE on March 8, accused of supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.
The Trump administration argues Khalil's deportation is justified under U.S. immigration law, citing foreign policy concerns and his alleged role in pro-Hamas activities on campus.
Khalil’s lawyers and supporters claim his detention violates free speech rights, with protests and letters from Democratic lawmakers demanding his release.
Legal experts note that U.S. immigration law allows deportation of non-citizens deemed a threat to foreign policy, even without criminal charges.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Khalil's deportation while the legal case is reviewed, drawing national attention to the intersection of immigration enforcement and political activism.