Columbia students rally for peer Mahmoud Khalil, detained by ICE over pro-Palestinian activism, at the 2025 commencement ceremony.

The Trump administration said Thursday it was “encouraged” by Columbia University’s response to a pro-Palestinian protest at the main campus library Wednesday where police took 80 people into custody.

Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside Columbia University's gates during Wednesday's graduation ceremonies. There was a large presence of police personnel around the campus.

Acting Columbia University President Claire Shipman on Wednesday bizarrely chose to stoke the flames by acknowledging arrested ex-grad student Mahmoud Khalil at the Ivy League school’s chaotic

A faculty rights group at Columbia University condemned the administration for calling the NYPD to gain control over an anti-Israel protest at the campus library.

In another of Schwalb’s videos, students can be heard chanting “FREE MAHMOUD!” in reference to Mahmoud Khalil, a student activist leader and green card holder who was arrested and remains in detention after being taken from his New York City apartment building by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in March 2025.

The chants were in reference to Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student who was detained in March by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A second Columbia University student who participated in campus protests against the war in Gaza has been arrested and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, his attorneys say.