Supporters of detained Columbia student arrested after clash with NYPD as Trump admin seeks his deportation
A dozen protesters demonstrating in support of former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil were arrested on Tuesday as they clashed with New York City Police. Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident, was arrested by immigration enforcement agents over the weekend and has been moved to an immigration detention center in Louisiana as the Trump administration seeks to revoke his legal status and deport him for his involvement in anti-Israel protests on campus.
The White House has accused Khalil of distributing pro-Hamas flyers on campus, disrupting classes, harassing Jewish American students, and making them feel unsafe. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated, “This is an individual who organized group protests that not only disrupted college campus classes and harassed Jewish American students and made them feel unsafe on their own college campus, but also distributed pro-Hamas propaganda flyers with the logo of Hamas.”
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman has ordered that Khalil, whose American wife is eight months pregnant, not be deported while the court considers the legal challenge brought by his lawyers. They argue that the government is unlawfully retaliating against him for constitutionally protected speech. Khalil’s lawyers are pushing for his return to New York and release under supervision.
On Tuesday, NYPD officers made arrests after protesters blocked a downtown street in Manhattan, despite warnings to clear the roadway. One demonstrator was tackled to the ground by officers during his arrest. The NYPD reported that one person was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration, while 11 others were issued summonses.
Earlier, about 350 protesters marched from Washington Square Park to Federal Plaza Immigration Court chanting anti-Israel slogans and calling for Khalil’s freedom. Protesters believe Khalil is being criminalized for expressing his freedom of speech and refer to him as a “political prisoner.”
The clashes between protesters and police continued outside Gracie Mansion as demonstrators demanded Khalil’s release. Free speech groups and civil rights organizations have criticized Khalil’s detention as a violation of his First Amendment rights. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression stated, “This is America. We don’t throw people in detention centers because of their politics. Doing so betrays our national commitment to freedom of speech.”
President Donald Trump has pledged to address alleged antisemitism by foreign citizens on college campuses, particularly after anti-Israel protests erupted at Columbia and other U.S. campuses following the Israel-Hamas war in 2023.
Khalil’s next court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday as his legal team continues to fight for his release and protection of his constitutional rights.
