Second Columbia University pro-Palestinian protester arrested

Immigration officials have arrested Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, for overstaying her visa. Her visa was revoked in January 2022 due to lack of attendance. This follows the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, another activist facing deportation. Khalil's treatment during his arrest has raised concerns. He was moved from New York to Louisiana under harsh conditions, and his lawyers describe it as akin to kidnapping. They filed a lawsuit seeking his release, citing his lack of access to legal counsel. The Department of Homeland Security also revoked the visa of Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student, for alleged advocacy of violence. Srinivasan has since chosen to self-deport. These actions are part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests at the university.