Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents on March 12, 2025, in New York City. Khalil, a U.S. legal permanent resident, has not been charged with any crime, yet remains in indefinite detention. While a handful of progressive Democrats have voiced their support for Khalil, the broader Democratic response has been notably muted, raising concerns about the erosion of constitutional protections and the chilling effect on political dissent.

Key Points:

• Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University student, was arrested without charges by DHS agents.
• Only 14 out of 220 House Democrats signed a letter demanding his release, despite widespread criticism of the Trump administration’s actions.
• Khalil’s arrest is seen as a politically motivated attempt to silence pro-Palestinian activism.
• Prominent Democrats, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, initially hesitated to support Khalil, citing logistical reasons.
• Critics argue the arrest violates First Amendment rights and sets a dangerous precedent for targeting immigrants based on political speech.

A chilling precedent for free speech

The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil has drawn comparisons to the McCarthy era, when individuals were targeted for their political beliefs. Khalil, a vocal critic of Israel’s policies in Gaza, was reportedly detained for his role in organizing protests at Columbia University. His arrest has been condemned as an act of “anti-Palestinian racism” and an attempt to criminalize political dissent.

Congressman Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat and Columbia University alumnus, called the arrest “chilling” and “McCarthyesque.” In a statement on X, Nadler emphasized the importance of due process, stating, “The warrantless arrest of any legal permanent resident seemingly solely over their speech is a chilling, McCarthyesque action.”

Senator Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish lawmaker in the U.S., also urged due process but distanced himself from Khalil’s views. “I abhor many of the opinions and policies that Mahmoud Khalil holds and supports,” Schumer wrote on X. “But if the administration cannot prove he has violated any criminal law to justify taking this severe action, then that is wrong.”

A divided democratic response

The muted response from Democrats has left many questioning the party’s commitment to free speech and civil liberties. While progressive lawmakers like Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Al Green signed the letter demanding Khalil’s release, others, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hesitated. AOC’s chief of staff later claimed she would have signed the letter if it hadn’t been “closed” prematurely, citing logistical issues.

Kevin Rachlin, Washington director at The Nexus Project, described the Democratic response as “measured and correct.” However, he warned that deporting someone for their political opinions would be a “scary and dangerous move and an omen for things to come.”

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut took a stronger stance, posting a three-minute video on X condemning Khalil’s arrest. “He’s in jail because of his political speech,” Murphy said. “Even if you’re a hardened Trump supporter, this practice should cross the line for you.”

Are Democrats slowly warming up to the idea of Free Speech, and are they doing so now because it is politically expedient?

A turning point for public opinion?

The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil comes amid a broader shift in public opinion regarding U.S. support for Israel. Over the past 16 months, protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza have gained momentum, with students and activists demanding accountability from universities and governments.

“Public opinion has rapidly shifted on this issue,” a Democratic strategist told Middle East Eye. “The Democratic Party hasn’t caught up to that. But this is the first maybe real instance… that we’ve seen, of the signs that it is starting to catch up.”

As Khalil remains detained in an ICE facility in Louisiana, over 1,300 miles from his home, his case has become a flashpoint for debates over free speech, immigration, and the role of political dissent in a democracy. Will this arrest serve as a wake-up call for lawmakers to defend constitutional rights, or will it mark the beginning of a new era of political repression?

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

X.com

CityandStateNY.com