Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• ICE arrests Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil in first wave of pro-Palestinian student targeting — Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident and Columbia University graduate student, was arrested by ICE in New York on March 8, 2025, in what his legal team characterizes as the first in a series of ICE arrests targeting pro-Palestinian students and scholars. Khalil was detained without due process. The Trump administration is using obscure immigration law to make extraordinary claims that it can summarily detain and deport people for constitutionally protected free speech deemed adverse to U.S. foreign policy.
• ICE arrests Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil — Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and permanent resident in the U.S., was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his university-owned apartment in New York. The arrest was reportedly based on a State Department order to revoke his green card, despite Khalil's status as a permanent resident. This action follows the Trump administration's vow to deport foreign students involved in protests against Israel's war in Gaza. Khalil has been transferred to an immigration detention facility in New Jersey, and his arrest has sparked criticism regarding the administration's approach to free speech and due process.
• ICE detained Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil — Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and activist, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New York. The arrest was part of the Trump administration's efforts to revoke his green card and deport him, citing support for terrorism. Khalil's detention has sparked outrage and protests, with free speech organizations condemning it as an attack on his First Amendment rights. A federal judge has blocked his deportation and scheduled a hearing. Khalil's wife, who is eight months pregnant, has spoken out against his detention.
• Mahmoud Khalil arrested by ICE — Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and green card holder, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in New York City. The arrest followed public calls for his deportation by pro-Israel activists and was reportedly based on a state department order to revoke his student visa and green card. The Trump administration cited Khalil's participation in pro-Palestinian protests as grounds for his deportation, claiming his presence could have adverse foreign policy consequences. Khalil's arrest has sparked concerns over free speech and the use of immigration law to suppress dissent.
• Mahmoud Khalil arrested by immigration officials — Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University, was arrested by federal immigration officers on March 8, 2025, in Louisiana. The Department of Homeland Security accused him of leading activities aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, and is attempting to deport him. Khalil's lawyers are challenging his detention and potential deportation, arguing that agents did not provide an arrest warrant. This arrest has caused fear among international students at Columbia, who feel targeted for their political views and are concerned about their safety and visa status.
• Mahmoud Khalil detained by ICE; Trump administration seeks deportation of Palestinian activist — Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 8, 2025, and remains in ICE custody in Louisiana. The Trump administration is pursuing his deportation under a rarely invoked legal provision allowing the State Department to deport non-citizens deemed a threat to U.S. foreign policy. Khalil has not been charged with any crimes; his lawyers contend the detention is unlawful retaliation for his constitutionally protected pro-Palestinian activism. An immigration hearing is scheduled for the week of April 8. His wife, Noor Abdalla, published a letter vowing to continue fighting for his release and defending his right to speak on Palestinian rights.
• Mahmoud Khalil's arrest and detention — Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and activist, was arrested by plainclothes agents at his university housing in New York and taken to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana. His lawyers filed an updated lawsuit demanding his release, arguing that his arrest was a retaliatory act against his free speech, as he was known for protesting against Israel's military actions in Gaza. The Trump administration has not charged him with any crime but claims he is aligned with Hamas. Khalil's arrest has sparked protests and legal challenges.
• Trump administration seeks deportation of Columbia student activist Mahmoud Khalil under foreign-policy threat provision — Mahmoud Khalil, a green-card holder and Columbia University student activist who led pro-Palestinian campus rallies, was detained on March 8, 2025, in Louisiana. The Trump administration is pursuing his deportation under a federal immigration law provision allowing the State Department to deport non-citizens deemed a threat to U.S. foreign policy. Federal officials claim Khalil led activities "aligned to Hamas" without charging him with any crime. Khalil has accused Columbia University of suppressing student dissent and laying groundwork for his arrest, and called on students to continue protests.
• ICE detains Palestinian green card holder Mahmoud Khalil — ICE detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian green card holder and recent Columbia University graduate, in New York and transferred him to a detention facility in Louisiana. The arrest was personally approved by Marco Rubio under a rarely used Cold War authority. Legal experts have raised concerns about the constitutionality of this provision and the targeting of Khalil due to his speech activities.
• Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil detained by ICE — Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and former British government employee, was detained by ICE on March 9, 2025, after being accused by the Department of Homeland Security of leading activities aligned with Hamas. The Trump administration is using a provision in immigration law to argue that Khalil's presence poses a risk to U.S. foreign policy. Khalil, a legal permanent resident, has not been charged with any specific crime. His detention has sparked criticism from former colleagues and raised concerns about freedom of speech and political targeting.
• ICE revokes green card of Columbia student following pro-Palestinian protest attendance — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents revoked the green card of Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Columbia University student, after she attended a sit-in protest on March 9 at Barnard College calling for the reversal of student expulsions related to pro-Palestinian activism. ICE obtained a warrant citing a federal law against "harboring noncitizens" and characterized the protest as a "pro-Hamas protest," accusing Chung of posing a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests despite her minimal involvement in protest organizing.
• Arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil — Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, was arrested by federal immigration authorities over the weekend. The arrest was reportedly based on a State Department order to revoke his green card. President Trump stated that Khalil's arrest was the first of many to come, targeting those involved in pro-Palestinian protests at U.S. universities. Khalil's detention has sparked outrage among free speech organizations and advocates, who view it as a violation of the First Amendment and an abuse of immigration law.
• ICE detains Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil — Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and permanent US resident, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New York. The arrest, reportedly based on a State Department order to revoke his green card, has sparked outrage among civil rights groups who view it as a retaliatory act against his First Amendment rights. Khalil, who was involved in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, is now held at a detention facility in Louisiana. A habeas corpus petition has been filed challenging his detention, and protests are planned demanding his release.
• Mahmoud Khalil detained by ICE — On March 10, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and Palestinian activist, at Columbia University. The arrest was reportedly in connection with President Trump's executive order aimed at revoking visas for individuals perceived to sympathize with Hamas. Khalil's lawyer stated that he was not charged with any crime, raising concerns about the legality of the arrest and its implications for First Amendment rights.
• US government attempts to deport Mahmoud Khalil using rare provision — Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and Palestinian green card holder, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on a Saturday night. Khalil, known for his leadership in pro-Palestinian campus protests, is currently held in immigration detention in Louisiana. His arrest has sparked concerns about the criminalization of pro-Palestinian protest and the erosion of free speech and immigrant rights. Khalil's detention has prompted protests by his supporters in New York, who are advocating for his release and highlighting the broader implications for activist movements.
• — The US government is attempting to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and permanent US resident, by invoking a rarely used foreign policy provision. This provision allows for deportation if the Secretary of State believes an individual's presence could have serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Khalil, who was arrested by federal immigration authorities, is currently detained in Louisiana. His lawyers argue that this action is a violation of his free speech rights. A federal court hearing was held, but no decision was made regarding his release.