New York Attorney General Letitia James is once again in a high-profile legal battle, this time over the detention of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
James announced that her office is “monitoring the situation” after Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was arrested at his university-owned residence in connection with his role in campus protests against the war in Gaza.
Why It Matters
James, a Democrat, has a history of challenging former President Donald Trump on legal and policy matters. During Trump’s first term, she sued his administration multiple times over immigration policies, environmental rollbacks, and financial misconduct.
She also pursued a landmark civil fraud case against Trump, leading to a judgment of over $500 million against him.
Khalil’s arrest could set the stage for another clash between James and Trump, who has signaled a sweeping crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests in academic institutions across the U.S.
Under executive orders prohibiting antisemitism, Trump’s administration has ramped up arrests and deportations of individuals it claims are linked to extremist views.
Legal Controversy Over Khalil’s Detention
Khalil, who played a pivotal role in negotiations between Columbia University officials and pro-Palestinian protesters last year, was taken into custody by ICE agents on Saturday.
Initially, they cited a State Department order revoking his student visa.
However, when his attorney Amy Greer pointed out that Khalil is a green card holder, ICE officials claimed they would revoke his permanent residency instead.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Khalil’s arrest is part of broader efforts to implement Trump’s executive orders addressing antisemitism.
Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, declared, “This is the first arrest of many to come… The Trump Administration will not tolerate pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity.”
Khalil has denied all accusations of antisemitism, explaining that his activism is part of a larger anti-war movement that includes Jewish students and organizations. Civil rights groups and free speech advocates have condemned his arrest, arguing that it undermines First Amendment protections.
What People Are Saying
James took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her concern:
“I am extremely concerned about the arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil, an advocate and legal permanent resident of Palestinian descent. My office is monitoring the situation, and we are in contact with his attorney.”
Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, warned of the implications:
“Arresting and threatening to deport students because of their participation in political protest is the kind of action one ordinarily associates with the world’s most repressive regimes. Universities must take action to protect students from government overreach.”
Trump and his allies, however, have doubled down. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X:
“We will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported.”
What Happens Next
Khalil is currently being held at an immigration detention center in Jena, Louisiana, without criminal charges.
His attorney has filed a legal challenge to his detention, and a federal judge in New York has ordered that he not be deported while the case is under review. A court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
This legal battle is likely to intensify, drawing further scrutiny on Trump’s immigration policies, the First Amendment, and academic freedoms.
With James vowing to stay engaged, the case could become another high-stakes confrontation between her and the former president.
