As an activist who led pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University remains in an immigration center in Louisiana, college students across the country are protesting, believing the federal government is violating his First Amendment rights.

The sanctions include multi-year suspensions, expulsions and revoked degrees based on an “evaluation of the severity of behaviors.”

Columbia University says it has expelled or suspended some students who took over a campus building during pro-Palestinian protests in Spring 2024 and temporarily revoked the diplomas of some students who have since graduated.

Columbia University has handed down severe punishments to pro-Palestine student protesters who protested at campus building last year during a demonstration.

Khalil’s arrest was to combat antisemitism, the Trump administration said, but students in Charlotte said it was free speech suppression.

Columbia University has imposed sanctions on students involved in last spring's pro-Palestinian protests. Some students have been expelled or suspended, while others had their diplomas temporarily revoked.

A prominent Palestinian activist who helped lead last spring's protests at Columbia University has been arrested by federal immigration agents.

Students gathered in New York City's Washington Square Tuesday to protest the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents this past weekend.

US News. US protests demand release of Columbia student activist Khalil. March 11, 2025. Hundreds of protesters, including students and faculty members from universities across th