Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian activist involved in Columbia University’s student encampment movement, was arrested by federal immigration authorities on Saturday night. They claimed to be acting on a state department order to revoke his green card, according to his attorney, Amy Greer.

At the time of his arrest, Khalil was in his university-owned apartment near Columbia’s main campus in New York. Several Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entered the building and took him into custody. Greer informed the Associated Press that one of the agents stated they were executing a state department order to revoke Khalil’s student visa. Despite Khalil being a permanent resident with a green card, the agent said they were also revoking that, per the lawyer.

This event occurs amidst Donald Trump‘s campaign promise to expel foreign students involved in protests against Israel’s operations in Gaza. The administration has focused on Columbia University, announcing plans to cut $400 million in grants and contracts due to allegations of the school’s failure to address antisemitism on campus.

The authorities did not inform Khalil’s eight-month pregnant wife about the reasons for his detention. He has since been transferred to an immigration detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Greer stated that there has been a lack of information regarding the reason for his detention, signaling an escalation by the administration in its threats against activists.

Columbia University’s spokesperson asserted that law enforcement must present a warrant to enter university property. However, the spokesperson could not confirm whether a warrant was presented for Khalil’s arrest. Greer has not yet received any additional details regarding Khalil’s detainment.

Khalil was one of the key figures in the pro-Palestinian movement at Columbia. He played a crucial role in organizing the university’s student protests, frequently meeting with administrators. Following the resurgence of classes in September, he paved the way for continuing protests, emphasizing resistance against Columbia’s investments benefiting from Israeli apartheid.

Although immigration courts have the power to revoke green cards, government departments do not generally possess this authority. Recently, it was reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to utilize artificial intelligence to revoke the visas of foreign nationals considered supportive of groups like Hamas.

Khalil was among several students investigated by Columbia’s Office of Institutional Equity, which was established to examine students’ criticism of Israel. The committee has sent notices to numerous students accused of activities ranging from sharing social media posts supporting the Palestinian cause to participating in unauthorized protests.

Students at Columbia initiated the tent encampment protests as a form of expression. This movement spread to various campuses across the United States. Many colleges’ administrations responded by involving local law enforcement, leading to the arrest of numerous students.