Columbia suspends pro-Palestinian students after protests

Columbia University has suspended or expelled several students involved in pro-Palestinian protests last spring. The disciplinary actions follow the occupation of Hamilton Hall, which resulted in over 280 arrests. The university did not disclose the number of students affected. The sanctions come shortly after former student Mahmoud Khalil was detained by immigration authorities. Khalil, a spokesperson for a student anti-Israel coalition, is currently fighting deportation after a judge blocked his removal. Additionally, the Trump administration has threatened to withdraw $400 million in federal funding from Columbia and other universities that allow protests deemed illegal. The Department of Education is investigating 45 universities for not complying with new directives on diversity initiatives.