Recent events at Columbia University have sparked significant concern among international students and the broader campus community. Federal agents arrested Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian student who overstayed her visa after participating in protests, and Mahmoud Khalil, an Algerian student accused of ties to Hamas. These actions, alongside judicial search warrants executed in student residences, have heightened fears of unjust targeting and retaliation, particularly among students who engaged in past pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The Trump administration has also threatened to withhold federal funding unless the university implements stricter policies addressing antisemitism and protest activities.
The campus remains divided as students and faculty grapple with these challenges. Protests and walkouts have occurred, with many criticizing the federal government’s intervention and expressing concerns about free speech and student rights. Faculty members are debating how to protect the university’s independence while addressing safety concerns and federal pressures. Meanwhile, international students are particularly vulnerable, with many hesitant to voice their opinions for fear of immigration repercussions, further complicating an already tense environment. Columbia faces the difficult task of balancing academic freedom, student safety, and political scrutiny.