In the US, former Columbia University student Mahmud Halil, whose green card was revoked leading to his arrest, saw efforts for his release met with police intervention resulting in the detention of several protestors. The police intervened at the New York march, leading to the arrest of numerous demonstrators. Demonstrators in Washington also organized a march, demanding the release of Palestinian supporter Mahmud Halil, whom President Trump threatened with deportation. Mahmud Halil, a Palestinian activist at Columbia University who led protests, was arrested yesterday. Halil’s lawyer, Amy Greer, revealed that despite Halil’s status as a “green card holder with a permanent residence” in the US and having an American spouse, he was detained by ICE officials and had his green card revoked. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously stated over social media, “We will cancel visas or green cards of Hamas supporters in America, so they can be deported.” President Donald Trump had promised to deport international students who participated in protests against the massacre in Gaza on US university campuses in the spring of 2024. UN Emphasizes “Freedom of Speech” United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, after being informed of Mahmud Halil’s arrest, stressed the significance of respecting freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly, stating, “Emphasizing the importance of respecting freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly is crucial for us.” Congressional Members’ Reactions Rashida Tlaib, a Democratic member of the US House of Representatives, referred to Halil’s arrest as an “attack on freedom of speech.” Tlaib declared, “Free Mahmud Halil. This is an attack on the opposition, criminalizing it, and an attack on the First Amendment of the Constitution and our freedom of speech. It is illegal to cancel someone’s green card for expressing their political opinion. Protesting against genocide is not a crime.” Democrat Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed that the arrest could set a dangerous precedent. Ocasio-Cortez warned, “If the federal government can arrest a person with legal permanent residency in the US without a reason or search warrant, then it can wipe out US citizens as well. Anyone who values the importance of constitutional rights and freedom of speech, from left, right, or center, should be alarmed now.” New York Attorney General Letitia James classified the arrest as “unlawful” and stated, “I am deeply concerned about the arrest of Mahmud Halil, a Palestinian advocate and legal permanent resident.” Sanctions on Columbia University Last week, the Trump administration canceled Columbia University’s $400 million fund, citing “shortcomings in combating antisemitism.” The university’s contracts with federal institutions in various categories were also terminated. Columbia University is known in the US as the place where protests supporting Gaza began.