The White House may encounter significant legal challenges following reports that it directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. Khalil, a permanent legal resident with a green card, was arrested at his home despite not being in the country on a visa. His attorney, Amy Greer, informed The Associated Press about the situation. Khalil, who was actively involved in anti-Israel protests on campus last spring, has become a focal point of this legal dispute.
Ryan Grim of Drop Site News reported that the detention order specifically targeted Khalil, a permanent resident, and appeared to originate from the White House. This development has raised concerns about potential legal repercussions for the administration. Josh Gerstein, a senior legal affairs reporter at Politico, highlighted on X that such actions could lead to significant legal trouble for the White House, particularly if it is directly involved in operational decisions. Gerstein emphasized that this could weaken typical privilege claims associated with such cases.
The situation has sparked widespread attention and debate over the implications of federal involvement in detaining individuals with legal residency status. As investigations continue, the White House faces scrutiny regarding its role in this matter and potential violations of civil liberties.