Mahmoud Khalil, Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent, was arrested on Saturday for the immigration and customs control of the United States (ICE) in his apartment at Columbia University in Alto de Manhattan in New York City.
Recent Graduate of the University of International and Public Affairs of the University, Khalil has been an outstanding figure in Pro-Palestinian activism in Columbia, including the Solidarity Camp of Gaza.
In 2024, the pro-elastine student camps emerged in the United States as part of broader protests against Israeli attacks in Palestine. These camps were a key component of the movement led by students who demanded that universities faded from the companies that support Israel.
Khalil, a permanent legal resident of the United States, has been a prominent figure in these movements.
His arrest has caused generalized outrage, asking questions about freedom of expression, immigration policies and activists orientation.
Khalil’s activism made him a visible objective amid increasing tensions about campus protests and the repression of the Trump administration about what he considers “anti -American” activities.
Why was Khalil stopped?
The arrest of Khalil followed an executive order of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, aimed at “anti -Semitic and anti -American proterrorist activity on the university campuses.
“We know that there are more students in Columbia and other universities throughout the country that have been involved in proterrorist, anti -American, anti -American activities, and the Trump administration will not tolerate it,” he said.
Initially, the authorities tried to revoke Khalil’s visa, but then learned that he is a permanent resident and moved to revoke his green card, with the National Security Department accusing him of activities “aligned with” the Palestinian group Hamas.
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, defended the movement, declaring: “Vinir to the United States with a visa is a privilege, not a right,” and accused Khalil of supporting Hamas.
Trump called Khalil’s arrest “The first arrest of many,” indicating a broader offensive against pro-palestinian activism.
In addition, Trump has attacked Columbia University, questioning if he has done enough to prevent what he describes as anti -Semitic incidents. Earlier this month, its administration canceled $ 400 million in subsidies and federal contracts to the institution.
Judicial process
Khalil was first arrested in New Jersey before being transferred to Lasalle’s detention center in Louisiana, an installation known by housing immigration detainees.
A federal judge temporarily blocked his deportation on Monday. Judge Jesse Furman ordered that Khalil was not withdrawn from the US to other judicial procedures, emphasizing the need to preserve the jurisdiction on the case.
During an audience on Wednesday, Furman also gave Khalil access to his legal team after lawyers expressed concerns about limited communication.
A separate hearing is scheduled for March 27 in the Immigration Court to determine the validity of the Khalil green card state.
The lawyers of the Department of Justice argued that the case was transferred from New York, proposing New Jersey or Louisiana as alternative places.
Reactions to detention
Khalil’s arrest has generated a generalized conviction of human rights organizations, legislators and activists.
The American Union of Civil Liberties (ACLU) described the “unprecedented, illegal and non -American” arrest, accusing the government of attacking people for their political views.
Agnes Callamard, general secretary of Amnesty International, described the arrest as “deeply shocking” and a violation of the fundamental values of the United States, including freedom of expression.
The United Nations also emphasized the importance of maintaining the right to the Pacific Assembly and freedom of expression.
The legislators, including Senator Bernie Sanders and representatives Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley, have condemned the arrest.
Sanders described him as an illegal attempt to suppress political dissent, while 14 members of the Congress signed a letter that demanded Khalil’s release, describing his arrest as a “direct assault on freedom of expression.”
The protests have exploded in the United States, with more than 1,000 protesters gathered in New York City on Monday to denounce the arrest as political persecution.
The protesters criticized the efforts of the administration to silence dissent, and one says that “the United States is promulgating many laws and executive orders to prevent us from expressing our opinion, defending the Palestinians, defending human rights.”
Trump’s border tsar, Tom Homan, also faced protests during a visit to the New York state capitol, Albany. The protesters, including assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, criticized the role of Homin in the implementation of hard immigration policies and Khalil’s arrest.
“Do you think in the first amendment?” Mamdani shouted Homan.
On Thursday, hundreds of activists organized a sitting at the Trump tower in New York City, which resulted in almost 100 arrests.
Broader implications
Khalil’s case has become a point of inflammation in the ongoing debate on freedom of expression, immigration and national security.
Critics argue that the Trump administration is using the application of immigration to attack political opponents and suppress activism, particularly on university campuses. The case also highlights the broader efforts of the administration to restrict pro-palestine defense, which has increased in response to the Israel War against Gaza, which has killed more than 48,500 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins with the accusations of genocide.
The result of his case could establish a precedent on how the United States government manages similar situations in the future, with significant implications for freedom of expression and immigration policy.
Meanwhile, Khalil remains in detention, separated from his wife, an American citizen, who is eight months pregnant and faces an uncertain future.
Pro-Palestinian protesters manifest themselves in support of Mahmoud Khalil outside the Thurgood Marshall Palace, where an audience with respect to Khalil’s arrest is underway, in New York City on March 12.-AFP
