What Are the implications of Mahmoud Khalil's arrest for Green Card holders in the U.S.?
Alona Yadav | Mar 11, 2025, 23:58 IST
( Image credit : AP )
The arrest of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil by Homeland Security agents has raised questions about his rights as a green card holder. Khalil, a prominent figure in pro-Palestinian protests, alleges he is being targeted for his activism, despite his lawful permanent resident status.
In the wake of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil's arrest by Department of Homeland Security agents, questions have arisen about his immigration status and rights as a green card holder in the United States.
Khalil, a Palestinian student at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, emerged as a key figure in last year's pro-Palestinian campus protests. He was among the student negotiators who established encampments during demonstrations against Israel's military operations in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
Prior to his arrest, Khalil expressed concerns to Reuters that he was being targeted for his protest activities, particularly after President Donald Trump pledged to deport foreign students who participated in such demonstrations. Khalil claimed Columbia University "basically silenced anyone supporting Palestine on campus" and suggested Trump was using protesters as "a scapegoat for his wider agenda" against higher education institutions.
However, according to Khalil's attorneys, he possesses a green card and is married to an American citizen. His legal team is currently challenging both his detention and potential deportation.
A green card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, grants an individual the right to live and work permanently in the United States. The name derives from the card's predominantly green background, which features the holder's photograph, date of birth, and country of origin.
Green Card Eligibility
Several pathways exist for obtaining a green card:
However, green card holders must also obey all U.S. laws and avoid actions that could make them removable under immigration law.
Khalil's case highlights the complex intersection of immigration status, political expression, and legal protections for permanent residents in the United States. As his legal challenge proceeds, it will likely raise important questions about the rights of green card holders engaged in political protest.
Khalil, a Palestinian student at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, emerged as a key figure in last year's pro-Palestinian campus protests. He was among the student negotiators who established encampments during demonstrations against Israel's military operations in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
Prior to his arrest, Khalil expressed concerns to Reuters that he was being targeted for his protest activities, particularly after President Donald Trump pledged to deport foreign students who participated in such demonstrations. Khalil claimed Columbia University "basically silenced anyone supporting Palestine on campus" and suggested Trump was using protesters as "a scapegoat for his wider agenda" against higher education institutions.
However, according to Khalil's attorneys, he possesses a green card and is married to an American citizen. His legal team is currently challenging both his detention and potential deportation.
What Is a Green Card?
A green card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, grants an individual the right to live and work permanently in the United States. The name derives from the card's predominantly green background, which features the holder's photograph, date of birth, and country of origin.
Green Card Eligibility
- Family connections: Immediate family members of U.S. citizens, including spouses, may apply
- Family of permanent residents: Certain relatives of those already holding green cards
- Widows and widowers of U.S. citizens
- Fiancés of U.S. citizens
- Spouses of U.S. citizens who experienced domestic abuse
- Employment-based applications
- Foreign investors
- Asylum seekers and refugees
- Victims of human trafficking, crime, or domestic violence
- Individuals with special circumstances
- Continuous U.S. residents since before January 1, 1972
Rights of Green Card Holders
- Permanent residents have significant rights in the United States, including:
- The right to live permanently in the country
- Authorization to work in any legal position matching their qualifications (with some national security exceptions)
- Protection under all federal, state, and local laws
However, green card holders must also obey all U.S. laws and avoid actions that could make them removable under immigration law.
Khalil's case highlights the complex intersection of immigration status, political expression, and legal protections for permanent residents in the United States. As his legal challenge proceeds, it will likely raise important questions about the rights of green card holders engaged in political protest.