Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and recent Columbia University graduate, faces deportation following his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 8, 2025.

ICE agents arrested Khalil at his Columbia University-owned apartment in Manhattan, citing green card revocation. The Department of Homeland Security claims his activism has ties to Hamas, though no evidence has been presented to support this allegation.

Key Developments:

• A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation
• Khalil's lawyers argue the arrest violates his First Amendment rights
• His wife, a U.S. citizen who is eight months pregnant, was present during the arrest
• He has no criminal record or history of violence

Public response has been significant, with widespread protests erupting in New York City. Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, warn that this case could set a dangerous precedent for suppressing political dissent.

The case highlights several critical issues:

• Limits of free speech for non-citizens
• Government approach to pro-Palestinian activism
• Immigration enforcement policies
• Constitutional rights of permanent residents

Khalil's legal team continues to challenge his green card revocation while he awaits his deportation hearing. The outcome of this case could significantly impact future immigration enforcement and political activism in the United States.

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