NEW YORK, NY – At least a dozen demonstrators were taken into custody late this afternoon after attempting to enter City Hall Park in lower Manhattan. They were rallying in support of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student whose immigration status is under scrutiny. A judge is set to decide tomorrow whether Khalil’s legal residency could be revoked, potentially leading to his deportation by the current administration due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests at the university.
The White House has expressed its intention to pursue more individuals who participated in these demonstrations, emphasizing a crackdown on what it describes as anti-Semitic activities linked to Hamas. Over the weekend, ICE agents attempted to detain another student at Columbia but were unsuccessful in gaining access. However, they did manage to arrest Khalil, a green card holder, accusing him of engaging in pro-Hamas activities.
Governor Kathy Hochul has raised concerns about Khalil’s arrest, questioning whether it represents a legal breach or political retribution. Khalil, who has not been formally charged with any crime, is being held in Louisiana as supporters argue that the government is overreaching its authority.
Demonstrations advocating for Khalil’s release took place near New York University and on Columbia’s campus today. The city’s mayor reiterated the importance of free speech, noting that decisions regarding immigration status fall under federal jurisdiction, beyond the city’s control.
The federal government has also threatened to withhold significant funding from Columbia University, citing the institution’s alleged refusal to cooperate with identifying individuals involved in pro-Hamas activities. The administration has provided the university with names of those suspected of such involvement, and there are reports that some students have been reporting their peers to ICE due to perceived inaction by the university.
As Khalil awaits his hearing, scheduled for tomorrow, a judge has temporarily halted his deportation. The outcome of the hearing could have significant implications for Khalil and others in similar situations.