Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• ICE deports Maryland man with protected legal status to El Salvador, blames administrative error — Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported Kilmer Armado Ábrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national residing in Maryland with his wife and five-year-old child, to El Salvador on 15 March 2025, despite his having been granted "withholding of removal" status by an immigration judge in October 2019—a protected status preventing return to his home country. ICE acknowledged the deportation as an "administrative error" in court documents filed Monday, stating Garcia was placed on a deportation flight as an alternate when other detainees were removed. The Trump administration claimed it lacks jurisdiction to return him now that he is in Salvadoran custody. Garcia is currently detained at Cecot, El Salvador's notorious mega-prison.
• ICE detains and deports Kilmar Ábrego García without hearing despite withholding of removal order — On March 12, 2025, ICE officers detained Kilmar Ábrego García and informed him his immigration status had changed. Three days later, on March 15, 2025, he was deported to El Salvador without a hearing and sent to a maximum-security prison, despite holding a "withholding of removal" order granted by an immigration judge in 2019 that explicitly prevented deportation to El Salvador due to credible fear of persecution.

Supporting reports

• House Democrats delegation visits El Salvador to challenge Trump administration's refusal to facilitate return of deported immigrant — Four House Democrats (Ansari, Dexter, Frost, Garcia) traveled to El Salvador to advocate for the release of Kilmar Ábrego García, a man with protected legal status who was wrongly deported on March 15 following an "administrative error." The Trump administration has refused to comply with a Supreme Court order directing it to facilitate Ábrego García's return to the US, despite acknowledging the deportation was unlawful. The delegation met with US embassy officials and demanded proof of life and access to counsel.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration revokes visas and terminates legal status of 1,000+ international students — The Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security has revoked visas or terminated legal status for at least 901 students across 128 colleges and universities since mid-March 2025, with some sources citing over 1,300 affected students. Students report being targeted for minor infractions such as traffic violations or for unclear reasons. International students have filed lawsuits against DHS arguing lack of due process. A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a restraining order in one case. The administration has cited pro-Palestinian activism in some high-profile cases but colleges report no protest involvement in the vast majority of revocations.

Supporting reports

• Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act against Tren de Aragua — President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act to address the threat posed by Tren de Aragua (TdA), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. The proclamation directs the apprehension, detention, and removal of TdA members within the United States who are not naturalized or lawful permanent residents. The Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security are tasked with executing these actions, utilizing federal and state resources to ensure public safety.
• Trump ended birthright citizenship — President Donald Trump ended birthright citizenship, a significant change to immigration policy that affects the status of children born in the United States to non-citizen parents. This move challenges the interpretation of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution.
• Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act against Tren de Aragua members — President Trump issued a proclamation on March 15, 2025, invoking the Alien Enemies Act (50 U.S.C. 21 et seq.) to declare members of Tren de Aragua (TdA), designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization on February 20, 2025, as alien enemies subject to apprehension and removal. The proclamation directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to apprehend, detain, and remove all Venezuelan citizens aged 14 or older who are TdA members and present in the United States without lawful permanent resident or naturalized status. The order authorizes summary apprehension, detention pending removal, property seizure, and mandates all federal agencies and state/local officials to collaborate in enforcement.

Supporting reports

• US Border Patrol issues statement on border crossing deaths — The US Border Patrol issued a statement following the deaths of three individuals attempting to cross the US-Mexico border near San Diego, California. The individuals died in the Otay Mountain wilderness due to harsh terrain and cold weather conditions. The statement highlighted the dangers of crossing the border illegally, emphasizing the extreme conditions and risks involved. The statement was made by Jeffrey D Stalnaker, the acting chief patrol agent of the San Diego sector, who warned against illegal crossings due to the unpredictable and unforgiving nature of the terrain.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration arrests and detains foreign students and academics for pro-Palestinian activism — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested and detained multiple foreign-born students and academics on visas or green cards, citing their roles in pro-Palestinian campus protests. Cases include Mahmoud Khalil (Palestinian green-card holder detained in Louisiana for three months), Rümeysa Öztürk (Turkish Fulbright scholar detained in Louisiana despite court order), Mohsen Mahdawi (Palestinian green-card holder arrested during citizenship interview), Yunseo Chung (South Korean student arrested and targeted for deportation), Alireza Doroudi (Iranian student denied bond), and Badar Khan Suri (Indian postdoctoral fellow detained in Louisiana and Texas). The government invoked obscure immigration law to justify detaining and deporting people for constitutionally protected free speech deemed adverse to US foreign policy. Some were released on bail or court order; others faced ongoing deportation proceedings.

Supporting reports

• Nearly 100 Protesters Arrested at Trump Tower — On March 13, 2025, nearly 100 protesters were arrested at Trump Tower in New York City. The demonstration, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, aimed to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University student detained by U.S. immigration authorities. Protesters occupied the lobby of the building, chanting slogans and wearing T-shirts with messages opposing U.S. support for Israel. The New York police charged the arrested individuals with trespassing, obstruction, and resisting arrest. The protest highlighted concerns over Khalil's detention under a rarely used immigration law provision.

Supporting reports

• Venezuelan man files lawsuit against Trump administration for illegal deportation — A Venezuelan man, Neiyerver Rengel, filed a federal civil lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming he was wrongly identified as a gang member, repeatedly denied due process, falsely imprisoned, intentionally deceived, and illegally sent to CECOT in El Salvador. Rengel was in the U.S. awaiting a scheduled immigration hearing set for 2028 when he was caught in the administration's scheme on March 13, 2025. He is seeking $1.3 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges the administration's objective was not solely deportation but also to punish the entire population of Venezuelans pursuing immigration in the United States.

Supporting reports

• Mass detention and covert deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador without notification or due process — Federal immigration agents detained scores of Venezuelan migrants in the US without informing families of their whereabouts or charges. At least 252 Venezuelans, including Neiyerver Rengel (detained March 13 in Irving, Texas) and Ricardo Prada Vásquez (detained January in Detroit), were secretly flown to El Salvador's "terrorism confinement" prison on allegations of gang affiliation, with no public registry of names, charges, or conditions. Families learned of detainees' locations only through news reports weeks later. The Department of Homeland Security has refused to publish a register of prisoners' names or provide due-process information.

Supporting reports

• Family deported despite child's medical condition — A family with a 10-year-old girl who recently underwent brain cancer surgery was detained and deported while on their way to a doctor's appointment in Houston, TX. The girl and her siblings are U.S. citizens, but their parents are not. The incident highlights ongoing immigration enforcement issues under the Trump administration.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration resumes family detention for immigrants — The Trump administration has resumed the practice of detaining immigrant families, re-operationalizing two family detention centers in Texas. This move reverses the Biden administration's 2021 decision to suspend family detention in favor of surveillance methods. The detention centers are expected to generate significant revenue for private prison corporations like CoreCivic. The policy has been criticized for its impact on children, with reports of inadequate care and harsh conditions. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations have condemned the practice as unsafe and unjust.

Supporting reports

• DOJ subpoenas New York migrant shelter — The Department of Justice under the Trump administration issued a criminal subpoena to a Manhattan hotel that houses undocumented immigrants. The subpoena demands a list of full names, dates of birth, nationality, and identification numbers of the residents, as well as information about New York City government officials involved in funding the shelter programs. This action is part of the administration's intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants and has sparked criticism from immigration advocates.
• Justice Department subpoenas migrant shelter for resident names — The Trump administration's Justice Department issued a criminal subpoena to a Manhattan hotel providing shelter to undocumented immigrants, demanding the names of residents. This action is part of a broader effort to enforce immigration laws and could lead to increased scrutiny and potential deportation of asylum seekers residing in the shelter.

Supporting reports

• Erroneous deportation of legally resident immigrant to El Salvador — Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant with legal work permit status living in Maryland, was detained by immigration agents on March 12 and subsequently deported to El Salvador in violation of a prior court order. US District Judge Paula Xinis ruled his detention and removal "wholly lawless," finding no legal grounds for arrest or removal and no evidence of criminal conduct. Garcia had complied fully with all immigration directives and was never charged with any crime. The Trump administration had accused him of gang affiliation without evidence or pending charges. Garcia is now detained in El Salvador's Cecot prison.

Supporting reports

• DHS revokes student visas and conducts searches — Following the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the student visa of Ranjani Srinivasan, a Columbia PhD student, leading to her self-deportation on March 11, 2025. Additionally, DHS presented warrants and searched the dorm rooms of two students on March 13, 2025. These actions have heightened fears among international students at Columbia University, who feel they are being targeted for their political views and are concerned about their safety and visa status.
• Homeland Security searches Columbia University students' rooms — On Thursday night, agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted searches in two Columbia University students' rooms. The searches were authorized by judicial search warrants signed by a federal magistrate judge. No arrests were made, and no items were removed during the searches. The university's public safety team was present throughout the operation. This action is part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown on American universities, particularly in response to student protests at Columbia over Israel's military actions in Gaza.
• ICE obtained search warrant for Columbia University dorm rooms using false pretenses to arrest pro-Palestinian activist students — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed a search warrant application on March 13, 2025, claiming to investigate Columbia University for "harboring aliens," but attorneys argue the warrant was a pretext to arrest and deport two students—Yunseo Chung (a green card holder) and Ranjani Srinivasan (on a student visa)—for their pro-Palestinian activism. A federal judge granted the warrant; agents subsequently searched two dorm residences. Chung sued to block her deportation, claiming the warrant was obtained under false pretenses. She has since been granted temporary protection from deportation.
• DHS revokes visa of Columbia University student — DHS announced that a Columbia University student from India had her visa revoked and was subsequently self-deported. The agency claimed, without evidence, that she was involved in activities supporting Hamas.

Supporting reports

• ICE accessed car trackers in sanctuary cities — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accessed data from license plate readers in sanctuary cities, including Westchester County, New York, which has laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Documents reveal that ICE, along with other federal agencies, had access to a database containing information from over 480 cameras, potentially aiding in immigration enforcement actions. This access appears to sidestep local sanctuary laws, raising concerns about privacy and the safety of undocumented residents in these areas.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge bars deportation of Mahmoud Khalil — A federal judge in Manhattan issued an order barring the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and permanent US resident, pending a hearing. Khalil was detained by federal immigration authorities on orders to revoke his green card due to alleged pro-Hamas activities. The legal intervention prevents immediate deportation and allows Khalil's legal team, including the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights, to prepare for the upcoming hearing.
• US judge blocks deportation of Palestinian activist — A US judge, Jesse M Furman, blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student, who was detained by US immigration authorities. Khalil, who holds permanent US residency, was arrested under orders from the Trump administration, which alleged his activism was aligned with Hamas. The deportation block comes amid protests and criticism of the arrest, with Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries demanding evidence of criminal activity. Khalil remains detained at a facility in Louisiana.
• Court orders hearing for Mahmoud Khalil's case — U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman ordered on March 10, 2025, that Mahmoud Khalil "shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the Court orders otherwise," and scheduled a hearing for March 12, 2025. This ruling comes in response to Khalil's arrest by ICE, which has raised significant legal and constitutional questions regarding the treatment of lawful permanent residents.
• Federal judge blocks deportation of Mahmoud Khalil — A federal judge temporarily blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil while the court considers a challenge to his detention. This legal intervention provides Khalil with temporary relief from deportation proceedings.

Supporting reports

• 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.

Supporting reports

• ICE detained Beatriz Monteagudo and 17 other Cubans at routine immigration check-ins in Miami — ICE agents detained 18 Cuban immigrants, including 25-year-old Beatriz Monteagudo, during scheduled check-in appointments at the agency's Miramar field office on March 10. Monteagudo, who held an I-220A form (temporary status pending asylum proceedings), was detained without being informed of the reason beyond officers stating "the laws had changed." Monteagudo had entered the U.S. in January 2024 and faced persecution risks in Cuba for participating in July 2021 anti-government protests. The detentions represent a reversal of decades-long Cuban special immigration status under Trump policy.

Supporting reports

• 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.

Supporting reports

• French scientist denied US entry after phone search — A French scientist was denied entry to the United States after US Customs and Border Protection officers at a Houston airport searched his phone and found messages critical of the Trump administration. The incident occurred on March 9, 2025, as the scientist was traveling to a conference. The messages were deemed "hateful and conspiratorial," leading to accusations of terrorism, although charges were later dropped. The French research minister criticized the action, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom and freedom of opinion.

Supporting reports

• 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.

Supporting reports

• 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.

Supporting reports

• ICE arrested legal permanent resident without warrant or legal counsel access — In March 2025, Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident and Columbia University student, was arrested by ICE and transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana without a warrant or access to legal counsel, representing a departure from previous practice. The incident is cited as part of a pattern of policy shifts under the current administration affecting federal agency operations and civil liberties.
• ICE arrests Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil in retaliation for Palestinian advocacy — Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and green card holder, was arrested by ICE in March 2025. According to ACLU analysis of surveillance footage released in May, the arrest was illegal and conducted in retaliation for Khalil's advocacy for Palestinian rights. The Trump administration falsely claimed Khalil attempted to flee during the arrest. Khalil remains detained in Louisiana awaiting a judge's ruling on his case.
• Mahmoud Khalil arrested by federal immigration authorities for Palestinian activism — Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and permanent resident, was arrested by federal immigration authorities in early March 2025 for his Palestinian activism. He was detained in front of his pregnant wife, Noor, a U.S. citizen. The arrest occurred amid a broader pattern of federal immigration enforcement targeting students engaged in pro-Gaza activism across multiple U.S. universities.
• Trump administration detained Mahmoud Khalil for pro-Palestinian activism without criminal charges — Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate and international student activist, was detained by plainclothes ICE agents in early March 2025 in the lobby of his Columbia building. The Trump administration held him for over three months at an ICE facility in Louisiana, invoking a rarely used immigration provision allowing the secretary of state to order deportation based on alleged adverse effect on U.S. foreign policy. No criminal charges were filed. The administration accused Khalil of antisemitism and pro-Hamas advocacy without providing evidence, despite Jewish students and faculty submitting court documents supporting him.
• ICE arrests legal permanent resident for pro-Palestine protest leadership — In March 2025, immigration agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident, for his leadership role in pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University. Khalil remains in detention as of the article's publication, representing targeted enforcement against an immigrant for political speech and protest activity.

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.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration suspended use of military planes for deportations — The Trump administration suspended the use of military planes for deporting immigrants, including those accused of drug-related crimes, citing the high costs associated with such operations. This decision has been criticized as unnecessary, given that ICE already has its own fleet of airplanes that are more cost-effective. The suspension could impact the efficiency of deportation processes and the handling of drug-related cases.