Khalil's attorneys said he is a green card holder married to a pregnant American citizen, and are challenging the validity of the arrest and detention. Khalil's arrest is the latest move by the Trump administration to make good on campaign promises to punish student protesters and universities the president argues have tolerated or encouraged anti-American and anti-Jewish sentiment during pro-Palestinian protests.

U.S. Rep. André Carson joined 13 Democrats on a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem calling for the immediate release of a Pro-Palestinian student from Columbia University who is being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.