Graduates at Columbia University staged a dramatic protest during commencement celebrations, tearing up their diplomas in opposition to the university’s handling of the arrest of student Mahmoud Khalil, a foreign national currently being detained by immigration authorities.
The demonstration unfolded during the graduation ceremony, where several students used their moment on stage to publicly denounce the school’s response to Khalil’s case. Many held signs, wore armbands, or made verbal statements before ripping their diplomas in front of faculty and fellow graduates. The protest drew loud reactions from the audience, both in support and in shock.
Khalil, a student in Columbia’s graduate program, was taken into federal custody earlier this month after immigration officials flagged his visa status during an unrelated inquiry. Supporters claim Khalil was targeted unfairly and accuse the university of failing to protect an international student facing what they describe as unjustified detention.
Organizers of the protest say Columbia’s administration has remained largely silent since Khalil’s arrest and has not provided adequate legal or institutional support. In a statement circulated ahead of the ceremony, students accused the university of prioritizing public image over student welfare.
“I came here thinking this school stood for justice and inclusion, but what I’ve seen is silence when it mattered most,” one student declared before tearing up their diploma.
University officials acknowledged the protest but declined to comment directly on Khalil’s legal case, citing privacy rules. They reiterated that Columbia remains committed to supporting all students regardless of background and that they are monitoring the situation.
The protest has sparked broader debate on college campuses about the role universities should play in advocating for students caught in immigration or legal disputes. Khalil’s supporters continue to call for transparency, legal assistance, and public statements of support from university leadership.
Khalil remains detained at an ICE facility while his case moves through immigration court. Meanwhile, Columbia’s campus remains tense as students weigh the meaning of institutional responsibility in moments of national controversy.