In the US, former Columbia University student Mahmud Halil, whose green card was revoked, was detained after the police intervened in a protest demonstration demanding his release, resulting in the detention of numerous protesters. Meanwhile, a judge in the US issued a temporary restraining order on Mahmud Halil’s deportation.

Police intervened in a march in New York, detaining many protesters. Demonstrators in Washington also organized a march demanding the release of Palestinian supporter Mahmud Halil, who President Trump threatened to deport. Palestinian activist Mahmud Halil, who spearheaded protests at Columbia University in the US, was arrested yesterday. Halil’s lawyer, Amy Greer, revealed that despite having a green card as a permanent resident in the US and being married to an American, he was detained by ICE authorities, and his green card was canceled. US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, previously stated on social media that “we will cancel the visas or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported.”

TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ISSUED

A judge in the US issued a temporary restraining order against Mahmud Halil’s deportation. According to CNN, a court in the US granted a temporary restraining order on the deportation of Palestinian activist Halil. President Donald Trump had promised to deport international students who participated in rallies against the massacre in Gaza on US university campuses in the spring of 2024. UN EMPHASIZES “FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION” The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, expressed awareness of the arrest of Mahmud Halil, highlighting the importance of respecting freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Democratic member of the US House of Representatives, described Halil’s arrest as an “attack on freedom of expression.” Tlaib called for the release of Mahmud Halil, emphasizing that canceling someone’s green card for expressing their political views is illegal and that protesting genocide is not a crime. Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that the arrest could set a dangerous precedent. Ocasio-Cortez warned that if the federal government can arrest a lawful permanent resident in the US without cause or a warrant, they could potentially eliminate US citizens as well. New York Attorney General Letitia James deemed the arrest as “unlawful” and expressed deep concern about the detention of Mahmud Halil, a Palestinian advocate and legal permanent resident.

SANCTIONS AGAINST COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Last week, the Trump administration revoked $400 million of Columbia University’s funding, alleging a lack of effort in combating anti-Semitism. Various contracts the university had with federal institutions were terminated. Columbia University is known in the US as the epicenter of protests in support of Gaza.