Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents capture Palestinian activists Mahmoud Khalil – a leader in the Columbia University campsite – on Saturday night, claiming that his student visa had been revoked, according to Amy Greer’s lawyer in a statement to ABC News.
However, Khalil is in the United States with a green card and not on a student visa, Greer said on Sunday.
Although telling the agent about his legal status, Ice holds it, he said.
At one point during a telephone call with an agent, they hung the telephone of Greer, a representative of the law firm told ABC News.
Greer challenged his arrest and could not find where he was detained, he said.
“Last night we submitted a petition of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Mahmoud who challenged the validity of the arrest and detention,” he said. “Right now we don’t know the existence of Mahmoud’s right.”
Columbia University in New York City.
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Khalil’s wife, who was eight months pregnant and a US citizen, could not find her at the ICE facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where she was said to be moved, Greer said – added that she might have been transferred to Louisiana.
“The arrest and detention of ICE over Mahmoud participated in the opening of the US government’s open oppression of student activism and political speeches, specifically targeting students at Columbia University because of criticism of Israeli attacks on Gaza,” he said. “The US government has explained that they will use immigration enforcement as a tool to suppress the speech.”
The alleged arrest occurred only a few days after President Donald Trump descended to social media that threatened to shave a university that allows “illegal protests” and claim “agitator” will be sent back to their home country.
“All federal funds will stop for universities, schools, or universities that allow illegal protests. The agitator will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they come. American students will be issued permanently or, depending on crime, arrested. No masks! Thank you for your attention to this problem,” Trump posted on social truth on March 4.
Columbia released the following statement on Sunday: “There is an ice report around the campus. Columbia has and will continue to follow the law. Consistent with our old practices and the practice of city and institutions throughout the country, law enforcement must have a court warrant to enter the non-public university area, including university buildings.”
“Columbia is committed to complying with all legal obligations and supporting our campus student and community bodies,” the statement continued.