On March 13, 2025, demonstrators from the Jewish group Jewish Voice for Peace gathered in the lobby of Trump Tower, New York, to protest the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist. Khalil was known for his role in student protests on the university's campus regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. The protesters held banners and wore red shirts emblazoned with the phrase "Jews say stop arming Israel," as they chanted "Bring Mahmoud home now!"
Law enforcement warned the demonstrators to vacate the building or risk arrest. About an hour into the protest, police began to take action, placing protesters in zip ties and loading them into police vans. Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident, was taken into custody outside his New York City apartment on March 10, 2025, despite not having been charged with any legal violations. His arrest, stated by former President Donald Trump, signaled the "first of many to come," indicating a crackdown on students engaged in what he termed "pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity."
Khalil is married to an American citizen and has a child on the way. Following his arrest, he was detained at an immigration center in Louisiana after a brief period at a New Jersey facility. The protests surrounding his arrest have been characterized by supporters as attacks on free speech, with demonstrations occurring across New York City and other regions of the country. Just one day prior to the actions at Trump Tower, hundreds of supporters protested outside a Manhattan courthouse during a brief hearing for Khalil's case.
Debra Winger, a prominent actor who has publicly identified with her Jewish heritage, was among the demonstrators. She criticized the Trump administration for showing "no interest in Jewish safety" and accused it of co-opting antisemitism. Winger passionately expressed her concerns for Khalil, stating, "I'm just standing up for my rights, and I’m standing up for Mahmoud Khalil, who has been abducted illegally and taken to an undisclosed location. Does that sound like America to you?"
Trump Tower, a well-known location serving as the headquarters for the Trump Organization, often attracts protests both supporting and opposing its namesake. While protests inside the building are relatively uncommon, the structure's main entrance features a multi-story atrium open to the public, connecting visitors with various stores and eateries, including Trump Grill. Khalil completed his master's degree requirements at Columbia in December 2024, and his family history is deeply rooted in the Palestinian experience, as his grandparents were displaced from their homeland. His detainment continues to be a flashpoint in the broader discussions surrounding immigration policy and free speech in the United States.
The protests against Khalil's arrest reflect a larger movement across U.S. college campuses, particularly those with strong pro-Palestinian advocacy, where similar demonstrations have resulted in thousands of arrests in the past year. As the situation unfolds, Khalil's case remains a haunting reminder of the complexities entwined with immigration laws and the consequences faced by those who engage in politically charged activism.
