Immigration Agents Defend Warrantless Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil Amid Controversy

Federal immigration authorities have asserted that their warrantless arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel protest leader, was legally justified. This claim emerged in recent court documents defending the action taken by Homeland Security Investigations.

Khalil, known for his prominent role in anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, was detained approximately six weeks ago in New York City. The situation unfolded when immigration agents from ICE informed him that they were revoking his green card and student visa, according to his attorney, Amy Greer. Subsequently, he was transported to a detention facility in Louisiana.

Details of the Arrest

New Jersey court documents released last Thursday indicate that a Homeland Security lawyer detailed the events leading up to Khalil’s arrest. On March 8, immigration agents attempted to verify Khalil’s identity. During the confrontation, Khalil reportedly refused to cooperate and expressed his intent to leave the scene. The supervising agent perceived this as a potential flight risk, prompting the arrest.

Disputed Claims from Khalil’s Defense Team

Khalil’s attorneys have challenged the government’s characterization of the incident. They assert that Khalil’s wife had entered their apartment solely to retrieve his green card when agents opted to arrest him. Born in Syria to Palestinian grandparents, Khalil has permanent residency in the United States. His legal team argues that no solid evidence supports the claim that he resisted cooperation during the arrest.

Greer, who was on a phone call with Khalil during the arrest, emphasized his compliant demeanor. She highlighted that agents did not present an arrest warrant, raising concerns about the legality of the operation. Video footage obtained by Khalil’s spouse is said to confirm his cooperative behavior.