Homeland Security Arrests Columbia Students Involved in Protests

Student Arrests and Deportations

• 🇦🇪 Leika Corda, a Palestinian student from the West Bank, was arrested by Homeland Security for overstaying her visa and her alleged involvement in last year's Hamilton Hall takeover at Columbia University.
• 🇮🇳 Another student, Ron Shavasan, a doctoral student from India, self-deported after her visa was revoked by DHS for allegedly supporting Hamas.
• 🇺🇸 Immud Khalil, the first student arrested for last year's demonstration, remains in ICE custody in Louisiana, with his legal team filing documents for his release.

University Sanctions and Student Concerns

• ⚖️ Columbia University has issued sanctions against 22 students, including multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions, actions some students feel are too late.
• 🚨 The arrests and deportations have raised concerns among international students about safety and due process, with fears of being "disappeared and deported."
• 📣 Protests in support of Palestine continue on campus, with some students and activists calling for mobilization to support those arrested.

Vandalism and Escalation

• vandalized with graffiti reading "free them all."
• ⚠️ The situation highlights ongoing tensions and a growing anger within the university community and beyond regarding the handling of student protests and arrests.