Protests in NYC after Homeland Security searches Columbia University
Federal Agents search dorms at Columbia University
Homeland Security agents searched two student rooms at Columbia University overnight Thursday. FOX 5 NY's Linda Schmidt
NEW YORK - Homeland Security agents searched two student rooms at Columbia University overnight Thursday, according to school officials.
Interim President Katrina Armstrong confirmed that no arrests were made, no items were seized, and no further action was taken during the operation.
Columbia expels students who occupied building
Columbia University says it has expelled or suspended some students who took over a campus building during pro-Palestinian protests last spring and temporarily revoked the diplomas of some students who have since graduated.
What we know:
The searches were carried out under judicial authorization from a federal magistrate, allowing agents to enter non-public areas of the university. The identities of the students being investigated remain unknown.
Trump Tower protests: 150 Mahmoud Khalil supporters storm Midtown building; 90+ arrested
What they're saying:
In her letter to the Columbia community, Armstrong expressed concern, stating: "I am heartbroken to inform you that federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered two university residences last night. No one was arrested or detained, and no items were removed."
Columbia University expels and suspends students over pro-Palestinian protests
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 13: A poster is taped to a lamppost protesting the arrest of pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil for leading demonstrations at Columbia University on March 13, 2025 in New York City. Despite hold
The backstory:
These raids follow nearly a hundred arrests at Trump Tower on Thursday afternoon, where protesters stormed the building to demand the release of Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil, who had been arrested by ICE for his involvement in campus protests.
Protests in NYC today
Trump Tower protesters support Mahmoud Khalil
Protesters gathered inside Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan on [date] to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist detained by ICE in Louisiana. The demonstration, led by the progressive Jewish group Jewish Voice for Peace, saw dozens arrested after refusing police orders to leave. Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and U.S. resident, faces potential deportation. Sharon Crowley has the latest.
Amid ongoing tensions surrounding Palestinian rights, another protest is planned for 12:30 p.m. on Friday, where demonstrators will call for the reinstatement of all expelled and suspended students and the removal of federal agents and police from campus.
Columbia student’s ICE arrest 1st ‘of many to come,’ Trump says
What are they asking for?
NEW YORK, US - MARCH 11: Protests continue in New York, United States following the arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil for leading demonstrations at Columbia University on March 11, 2025. Despite holding a legal green card, Khalil was deta
"We're fighting back against the Trump regime's attack on freedom of speech and the right to protest," one protester told FOX 5 NY.
A lawsuit filed by the Council on American Islamic Relations on behalf of Khalil and other Colombia University students claims the records of thousands of students were illegally disclosed by Colombia at the request of Congress. The university, though, would not comment on pending litigation.
"We've already seen the unconstitutional arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil and we aim for this suit to protect other Colombia students from such harmful abuse of power. "
Columbia students expelled
An NYPD officer speaks to a protester as pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather outside of Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18, a day after university officials
On Thursday, Columbia University announced disciplinary action against students who took over a campus building during pro-Palestinian protests last spring, including the temporary revocation of diplomas for some students who have since graduated.
While Columbia did not provide a breakdown of the number of students expelled, suspended, or had their degrees revoked, it stated that the outcomes were based on an "evaluation of the severity of behaviors."
The decision comes shortly after the Trump administration moved to strip the university of more than $400 million in federal grants and contracts, citing concerns over the university’s efforts to combat anti-Semitism.
Trump administration warns of more deportations
The history of student protests at Columbia
Columbia University has a long history of student-led protests on its campus. From Vietnam to opposing apartheid, FOX 5 NY's Sharon Crowley takes a look back at some of the demonstrations and how they compare to today.
In an interview on FOX News Thursday, Vice President JD Vance said he expects more students, or rather people, to have their student visas and green cards revoked, arguing that this is not a matter of free speech but one of national security concerns.