Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Faces Deportation Following ICE Arrest

The detention of the Columbia University graduate has sparked debates over free speech, immigration law, and allegations of ties to Hamas.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and recent Columbia University graduate, was arrested by ICE agents on allegations of supporting Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
The Trump administration has cited Khalil's involvement in campus protests and alleged promotion of pro-Hamas propaganda as grounds for his deportation, though no criminal charges have been filed.
Khalil's attorneys argue his detention violates his First Amendment rights, claiming it is retaliation for his outspoken criticism of U.S. and Israeli policies.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Khalil's deportation while reviewing the constitutionality of his arrest, with a hearing scheduled for March 27 in Louisiana.
Public reaction includes a petition with over 3 million signatures demanding Khalil's release, protests in New York, and polarized opinions on the implications for free speech and national security.