Columbia University Protesters Arrested

March 17th, 2025

Azzy Xiang

Two activists who participated in pro-Palestinian protests were arrested and seemingly self-deported by leaving the United States after their visas were revoked. The Homeland Security Secretary expressed that the reasons were lying in advocating for violence and terrorism, although revoking a visa for engaging in protected political speech was contended to be a violation of basic rights.

Another student also used an app to self-deport and leave the country, part of the Trump administration's crackdown on individuals seen as supporting Hamas. Columbia also announced that those who protested last spring have been expelled, suspended, or had degrees revoked.

At least 98 people were arrested at a protest at Trump Tower in New York City calling for activist Mahmoud Khalil’s release. The White House reports that the administration is still moving forward to deport him under the Secretary of State's power to deport a non-citizen. Other unaffected students at Columbia say that they are fearful of being targeted as well, since federal agents executed search warrants on several university residences. However, no arrests were made and no items seized when two student rooms were entered. Various students revealed to school administration that they were afraid of seeking support and services due to fear of arrest from Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

In the meantime, a federal judge in Manhattan blocked the deportation of a Palestinian activist unless the Court orders otherwise. However, this will not stop the continued deportation of students, as Trump vowed on social media that the deportation was one of many to come. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the administration would be revoking the visas and green cards of Hamas supporters so they can be deported. A mathematics professor at Columbia, among others, was shocked that the administration's first target was someone with a green card instead of someone without any legal status.