A tense scene unfolded Thursday at Columbia University in New York City, culminating in the arrest of thirteen individuals during a demonstration focused on immigration enforcement policies. The arrests occurred after repeated warnings from the New York City Police Department were allegedly ignored, escalating a protest into a standoff.
Police responded to reports of demonstrators obstructing the university’s entrance around 1:30 p.m. local time. Video footage revealed the protesters were clad in black shirts emblazoned with slogans like “Sanctuary Campus Now” and “ICE Off Campus,” signaling a clear demand for limited federal immigration enforcement activity on university grounds.
For approximately twenty minutes, officers issued multiple dispersal orders, which were reportedly disregarded by the group. This defiance ultimately led to the arrests, with each individual receiving a criminal court summons.
The university itself released a statement affirming its support for peaceful protest, while simultaneously refuting claims made during the demonstration. Officials emphasized that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requires a judicial warrant – not merely an administrative one – to access restricted areas within the campus.
Columbia officials were adamant that no university leader or trustee had ever requested the presence of ICE agents on or near campus, labeling such assertions as demonstrably false. The university maintains a publicly available protocol for potential visits from ICE agents, designed to protect student and faculty privacy.
The demonstration arrives amidst lingering tensions stemming from the March arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia student and vocal anti-Israel activist. Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was detained by federal immigration agents at his Manhattan apartment.
While initially released, Khalil’s deportation case remains contested. A federal appeals court recently ruled that the initial judge lacked jurisdiction to halt his deportation proceedings, a decision the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argues does not immediately authorize re-detention while Khalil pursues further legal review.
The events at Columbia underscore the increasingly charged atmosphere surrounding immigration policy and the role of universities as potential sites of both protest and debate. The situation highlights the complex interplay between student activism, law enforcement, and institutional responses.
