• Video footage released by the ACLU shows Mahmoud Khalil's arrest by ICE agents.
• Khalil was detained at Columbia University following pro-Palestinian protests.
• His wife Noor Abdalla, pregnant at the time, filmed the incident, calling it "the most terrifying moment of my life."
• Protests erupted in New York City in response to Khalil's detention, raising concerns about First Amendment rights.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a significant video on Friday showing the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and graduate of Columbia University, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The arrest, which took place in the lobby of Khalil's university-owned apartment, is stirring considerable public outrage and concern regarding First Amendment rights following his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

The video, filmed by Khalil's wife, Noor Abdalla, who was eight months pregnant at the time, captures the moment Khalil is confronted by plainclothes agents. Abdalla described the scene as harrowing, stating, "You're watching the most terrifying moment of my life." As Khalil is handcuffed and taken away, Abdalla is heard asking agents various questions, including requests for their identities and why her husband is being detained. In her statement, she characterized the incident as a “kidnapping,” noting that the agents did not provide a warrant or disclose their names.

Khalil is currently being held in detention in Louisiana after originally being moved from a facility in New Jersey. His legal team contends that Khalil has not been charged with any crime, despite claims by the Trump administration that he has supported Hamas, a designation that the U.S. considers a terrorist organization. Khalil's attorneys assert that there is no substantial evidence linking him to such activities, as they seek to challenge the actions taken against him, particularly concerning his green card status.

This incident has sparked widespread protests across New York City, with demonstrators rallying for Khalil's release and raising concerns over governmental actions that they believe infringe upon civil rights and free speech, particularly in relation to pro-Palestinian demonstrators on college campuses. Many have voiced that the treatment Khalil received highlights an alarming trend of suppressing dissent against U.S. policies regarding Israel and Palestine.

As activists continue to call for Khalil's release, Columbia University faces growing pressure to address the administration's perceived inaction amidst federal scrutiny over campus political expressions. As a result, the ongoing case is being watched closely by civil rights advocates across the nation.

The issue remains unresolved as Khalil prepares for an immigration hearing scheduled for March 27. For updates, consult Newsweek and The Hill.