• Footage of Mahmoud Khalil's arrest by ICE agents was recorded by his pregnant wife.
• Khalil's arrest has provoked significant public outcry and protests across New York City.
• The ACLU and other organizations are raising concerns about First Amendment violations.

A recently released video shows the shocking moment Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, was arrested on March 8 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The unsettling footage, recorded by his pregnant wife Noor Abdalla, captures the plainclothes agents handcuffing Khalil in the lobby of their apartment building on the Columbia campus. The video has been widely shared by several rights organizations, including the ACLU, and highlights Khalil's claim that he was not resisting arrest, a sentiment echoed by his wife during the distressing incident as she said, "He's not resisting."

As the video unfolds, the agents repeatedly instruct Khalil to "turn around," while his wife captures her efforts to communicate with them and express her concerns. "You guys really don't need to be doing all of that," she can be heard saying, indicating her alarm as her husband is led away, leaving her unsure of his whereabouts. This moment of apprehension has been termed "the most terrifying moment of my life" by Abdalla, who described the situation as feeling like a kidnapping due to the officials' refusal to identify themselves or provide a warrant. The couple’s story has garnered considerable attention, with Khalil's arrest seen as a potential infringement on First Amendment rights.

DHS officials allege that Khalil's detention is related to his participation in protests sympathetic to Palestinian rights; however, his legal team rejects claims that he has any connections to terrorist organizations like Hamas. "As we are all, sadly, all too familiar at this point, the White House makes a lot of claims, many, if not, most of which are unsubstantiated," said Khalil's attorney during a press briefing, emphasizing that no evidence has been presented to support these allegations.

The arrest has ignited widespread protests, particularly in New York City, where activist groups have gathered in large numbers chanting for Khalil's release. On one occasion, around 150 protesters occupied Trump Tower, signaling a robust response from the community regarding what many view as a violation of civil rights. Currently, Mahmoud Khalil remains detained in Louisiana, with a scheduled immigration hearing on March 27, amid calls for immediate action to be taken in his defense.

Columbia University has faced mounting pressure to respond to the incident, and Interim President Katrina Armstrong has commented on the sense of unrest that this situation has brought to their community, reaffirming the institution's commitment to safeguarding free expression and due process.

Khalil's detainment continues to be a focal point in discussions regarding civil liberties and activism, as advocacy groups urge for transparency and justice in his case.

For more details, view the video and other coverage on ABC News or Newsweek.