Protesters planned to take over the Federal Plaza in New York City on Monday to demand the release of Palestinian activist and a graduate of Columbia University, Mahmood Khalil, who was arrested by federal immigration agents.
His lawyer said in a statement to NBC News, Khalil, who helped organize the School’s Palestinian protests, was told to his student that after his student’s visa was canceled, his students were told that the school was supported by the Palestinian -based protests. Attorney Amy Greer added that the ICE has been told that Khalil is a permanent resident with a green card but “he has been detained anyway.”
The Associated Press reported that the arrest was the result of pressure from President Donald Trump to deport international students who protested against the war in Gaza.
The People’s Forum, which is organizing the rally, demanded that Khalil be released immediately.
“Leave our students! Snow on our campus!” Group posted on x.
The non -profit organization Action Network An application began stating that more than 900,000 letters have been sent to the release of Khalil.
Greer said his office had filed a petition challenging the authenticity of his detention and he did not know where he was placed. Initially, it was believed that the agents took Khalil to a facility in New Jersey’s Elizabeth, but his wife was told that he was not there when he tried to meet. His wife is an American citizen and is eight months pregnant.
The lawyer added that he had received information that he was in Louisiana. The ice website list that Khalil Louisiana may be at an immigration detention facility.
“We will work hard in the court of Mahmud’s rights in court, and continue to try to get wrong against this terrifying and unforgivable – and calculation -” he said.
Murad Oudia, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Alliance, said the arrest was a “clearly unconstitutional process”.
“The United States is considered a country of laws, but this process through DHS challenges many concepts.” “The DHS should immediately release Khalil, and our local elected officials must interfere in the detention of a New York’s detention of this illegal and politically.”
The New York Civil Liberties Union said Khalil’s detention “is a highly attack on his first amendment rights.”
“Students’ speeches and advocates on campuses will be cooked by a student to snatch out his immigration status, challenge his immigration status, and to completely detain him.” Description Read “Political speech should never be the basis of punishment, or not to be deported.”
A Homeland Security Department spokesman said that Khalil was “arrested in harmony with the ICE and the State Department in support of President Trump’s executive orders” and because he “led a” leading terrorist organization associated with Hamas. ”
Secretary Foreign Marco Rubio said in a Post on X on Sunday The administration will cancel Hamas supporters’ visas and green cards in the United States to be deported. “
Colombia said in a statement on Sunday that law enforcement agencies must have a judicial warrant to enter the areas of undemocratic university, including campus buildings.
The university said, “Colombia is committed to complying with all legal responsibilities and supporting our students and campus community.”
