Mahmoud Kahlil is prominent for his activism for Palestine and his involvement in the Columbia University encampments. On March 8, 2025, Kahlil's life took a drastic turn when he was arrested by undercover agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to reports, Kahlil was apprehended in the vicinity of his student apartment building and subsequently taken to 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan. Following this initial detention, he was transferred to an immigration facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His legal representatives have stated that during his time in custody, plain-clothed ICE agents informed him that his student visa and his green card had been revoked. This claim is particularly concerning, as Kahlil is a lawful permanent resident holding a green card and has not been charged with any criminal activity. Mahmoud Kahlil is a permanent citizen who holds a green card he had married an American woman, who is eight months pregnant (as of 2024), and initially faced arrest threats herself, according to his lawyer.
Who is Mahmoud Kahlil? Born in Syria to Palestinian refugee parents, Mahmoud Kahlil moved to the United States in 2022. He pursued higher education and successfully earned a Master’s Degree in International and Public Affairs from Columbia University. His involvement in the 2024 protests at the university placed him in the public spotlight, where he played a crucial role in mediating discussions between university officials and activists rallying for change. Kahlil's efforts were instrumental in fostering dialogue and advocating for the concerns of students and community members alike.
Contradictorily, Khalil has been painted as a “terrorist sympathizer” referencing his vocal support for Palestinian causes in which the Trump administration believes that Kahlil was “detained for his purported support of Hamas”, a claim that has been rejected by his legal team. Following his arrest, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a controversial announcement on social media platform X, stating that the administration would be revoking the visas and green cards of individuals identified as supporters of Hamas in the United States, paving the way for their deportation.
This raises global attention and critical questions about the state of freedom of speech and activism in the United States. Many advocates express concern that the government's actions could stifle dissent and target individuals based solely on their political beliefs. Kahlil's arrest has not only drawn attention to his personal plight but also to the broader implications for activists Donald Trump, and JD Vance pretended to care about freedom of speech under the First Amendment, however, it seems like they only care about freedom of speech for themselves. Additionally, another important question would be; is anyone safe?