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DHS Agents Detain Activist At His Home
Mahmoud Khalil was taken into custody by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers at his New York City home around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, according to advocates. The two plainclothes agents allegedly followed Khalil and his eight-months-pregnant wife into their apartment building—owned by Columbia—before confronting him without identifying themselves.
The officers allegedly pressured Khalil’s wife to leave her husband and go to their apartment, threatening to arrest her if she refused. They claimed that Khalil’s student visa had been revoked, despite his advocates insisting he holds a green card.
“He has a green card,” one of the agents reportedly said over the phone, before later declaring that the State Department had “revoked that too.”
ICE Transfers Khalil To NJ Detention Center
Khalil was initially held in ICE custody in downtown New York before being transferred to the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility in New Jersey, according to his attorney.
His detention follows reports of ICE presence at Columbia and increased government scrutiny of student activists. Earlier this week, Trump announced plans to imprison or deport students involved in protests. His administration has also been accused of using artificial intelligence to monitor social media and revoke visas based on alleged “pro-Hamas” affiliations.
Columbia University Responds
Columbia University addressed concerns about ICE on campus, stating:
“Columbia has and will continue to follow the law. Consistent with our longstanding practice and the practice of cities and institutions throughout the country, law enforcement must have a judicial warrant to enter non-public University areas, including University buildings.”
The university also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting students and the campus community.
Daily Voice reached out to Columbia University and ICE/DHS for further comment but has only received automated responses at the time of publication.
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