On Saturday evening, Mahmoud Khalil, a well-known Palestinian activist and permanent resident of the United States, was arrested by plainclothes agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Advocates for Khalil report that during the arrest, officers informed him that his green card had been revoked.

Details Surrounding the Arrest

Khalil and his wife, who is eight months pregnant, were returning home around 8:30 PM when the DHS agents approached them. According to Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, the situation escalated as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents threatened to arrest his wife as well.

“The agents claimed that the State Department had revoked Khalil’s student visa,” Greer stated. “However, it was reported that Khalil has a green card.” After some confusion from the agents, they insisted that the green card was also revoked.

Context of Immigration Policy Changes

Last week, the U.S. State Department introduced a new artificial intelligence-driven program aimed at revoking the visas of international students perceived to be supporting Hamas. This program follows an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump in January, which allows for the deportation of noncitizen students engaged in protests against actions in Gaza.

Khalil had been vocal about these policies prior to his arrest, stating that they reflect a broader agenda to undermine higher education and protest movements within the United States.

Legal and Advocacy Response

Experts indicate that the revocation of a green card is an uncommon action, typically reserved for serious criminal offenses or immigration fraud. Camille Mackler, founder of Immigrant ARC, remarked that Khalil’s arrest appeared retaliatory against his outspoken views, which is incompatible with First Amendment rights.

In a statement, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin justified the arrest by linking Khalil’s activities to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, underscoring the administration’s commitment to enforcing executive orders aimed at countering antisemitism.

Community and Institutional Reactions

The incident has sparked outrage among various communities and organizations. The New York Immigration Coalition characterized Khalil’s arrest as a violation of constitutional rights, emphasizing that freedom of speech must be protected in America.

Furthermore, the Student Workers of Columbia-United Auto Workers, representing over 3,000 student workers, condemned the university’s cooperation with federal agents, stating it enables actions that threaten international students and academic freedom.

Future Actions

Khalil’s attorney, Greer, announced plans to challenge the legality of the arrest and actions taken against him. This situation highlights larger concerns about the treatment of immigrants and activists in the current political climate.