NEW YORK — The Department of Homeland Security raided the dorm rooms of two Columbia University students on Thursday night, just days after authorities detained a prominent pro-Palestinian activist in university housing.
In an email, Interim President Katrina Armstrong wrote that she was “heartbroken” to inform students and faculty of the federal agents’ visit. The students were not arrested or detained, she said. As of Friday morning, no further action had been taken.
“The University has a clear protocol in place,” Armstrong wrote, linking to guidance on “Potential Visits to Campus By U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents.”
“Consistent with this protocol, our longstanding practice, and the practices of cities and institutions throughout the country, the University requires that law enforcement have a judicial warrant to enter non-public University areas, including residential University buildings. Tonight, that threshold was met.”
The announcement of DHS on campus came after ICE on March 8 arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a green card-holder, in his university-owned residence. The Trump administration has accused Khalil of leading activities aligned with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. He has not been charged with any crime.
Armstrong’s emphasis on Columbia’s “longstanding practice” followed revelations of a letter from the Trump administration outlining steps the university should take to restore $400 million in canceled federal grants and contracts. Among other measures, the three agencies directed Columbia to discipline protesters involved in last year’s demonstrations.
“The University must complete disciplinary proceedings for Hamilton Hall and encampments,” read the memo. “Meaningful discipline means expulsion or multi-year suspension.”
The same day, Columbia announced the expulsions of several protesters involved in the building takeover.
