Columbia Student Mahmoud Khalil’s Detention Sparks Legal and Political Debate

The recent detention of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil has raised legal and political questions about the limits of immigration enforcement and free speech.

Khalil, a Palestinian activist and US permanent resident, was arrested by federal agents last weekend and transferred from New York to a detention facility in Louisiana. His lawyers argue that the sudden and secretive nature of his transportation made him feel as if he was being kidnapped.

Khalil was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities on March 8 as he and his wife returned home from dinner. According to his attorneys, he was not immediately informed of the reason for his arrest and was denied access to legal counsel for several days. He was first transported to a detention center in New Jersey before being flown—while handcuffed and shackled—to Louisiana, where he is now being held.

His attorneys claim Khalil’s treatment is particularly troubling given that he has no criminal record and is a legal permanent resident. They also highlight that his detention came just a day after Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), requesting the removal of two individuals, including Khalil, under a rarely used provision of immigration law that allows deportation based on potential foreign policy concerns.

The Trump administration has framed Khalil’s arrest as part of a broader crackdown on protests that officials claim have fostered anti-Semitism on college campuses. President Trump has publicly praised Khalil’s detention, calling it “the first of many to come.” Meanwhile, Rubio defended the move, arguing that students engaging in disruptive protests should not be allowed to remain in the country.

However, immigration lawyers and civil rights advocates warn that Khalil’s case could set a precedent for using immigration law to suppress political speech. Legal experts note that while the government has broad authority to revoke student visas, green-card holders like Khalil typically cannot be deported unless they have committed a serious crime. In this case, no criminal charges have been filed against him.

Khalil’s legal team has filed a federal lawsuit seeking his release, arguing that his detention violates his First Amendment rights. The suit also names President Trump and Secretary Rubio as defendants. Meanwhile, government lawyers have asked the court to either dismiss the case or transfer it to Louisiana, where Khalil is currently being held.

Khalil has been a vocal participant in campus protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, and his case has drawn significant attention from both supporters and critics. His lawsuit also challenges a congressional demand that Columbia University turn over disciplinary records related to student protests, arguing that such actions could have a chilling effect on free speech.

As the legal battle unfolds, Khalil remains in detention, expressing concerns for his pregnant wife and the upcoming birth of their first child. His next immigration hearing is scheduled for March 27, where a judge will determine whether he will remain in the US or face deportation.

The Associated Press, the Washington Post, and the Atlantic contributed to this report.