Columbia Journalism Faculty Defend Press Freedom After Arrest of Palestinian Student

In March 2025, Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism issued a strong statement defending press freedom and free speech following the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Khalil, a lawful U.S. permanent resident, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 8 without being charged with any crime. His arrest was part of a broader federal crackdown on pro-Palestinian student activism.

The Journalism School’s faculty expressed deep concern over what they described as an “alarming chill” affecting international students and journalists on campus. They highlighted that some faculty members and students covering protests related to the Gaza war had been targeted by online smear campaigns, similar to those that led to Khalil’s detention. The statement emphasized the importance of upholding First Amendment rights for all members of the academic community and condemned the use of immigration enforcement as a tool to suppress dissent.

Khalil’s detention sparked widespread protests and debates over academic freedom and civil liberties. At Columbia’s commencement ceremony, Acting President Claire Shipman acknowledged Khalil’s absence, which led to student walkouts and chants demanding his release. Supporters, including faculty and students, have called for his immediate release and criticized the government’s actions as politically motivated.

The case has drawn national attention, with civil rights advocates arguing that Khalil’s arrest represents a dangerous precedent for using immigration laws to target political expression. As Khalil awaits a decision in his immigration case, the Columbia Journalism School continues to advocate for the protection of press freedom and the rights of international students to engage in political discourse without fear of retaliation.