Columbia student protester held in immigration custody in Louisiana, records show

A Columbia student protester, identified as Mahmoud Khalil, has been detained in immigration custody in Louisiana, according to records. The Department of Homeland Security released a statement indicating that Khalil had been involved in "activities aligned to Hamas," which led to his detention. The specifics of Khalil's protest activities or how they are linked to the allegations of alignment with Hamas have not been publicly disclosed, raising questions and concerns among civil rights and student advocacy groups. The incident has sparked a debate over the limits of free speech and the measures taken by immigration enforcement in cases allegedly tied to international political organizations. The case of Mahmoud Khalil underscores the complex intersection of immigration law, national security considerations, and the rights of individuals in the United States to express their political beliefs. As Khalil remains in custody, awaiting further proceedings, his situation has drawn attention from various quarters, including human rights organizations demanding a fair and transparent review of his case. Legal experts are closely watching the unfolding developments, noting the implications this case could have for other non-citizen protesters and the broader discourse around immigration and activism in the United States.