The Trump administration has not been subtle about its intentions. A White House official, speaking anonymously to the Free Press, told the right-leaning media organization that Khalil’s arrest would be a “blueprint” for other actions.

Trying to deport Khalil for demonstrating against Israel is an obvious violation of his rights and an attempt to intimidate others, they say.

Lawyers said the Palestinian student activist was handcuffed, shackled and flown to Louisiana by agents he said never identified themselves.

A DHS official defended Khalil’s detention in an interview on Thursday but did not provide additional details for his arrest.

Rubio’s letter notified DHS that he had revoked both targets’ visas, setting in motion plans for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest and attempt to deport them, according to a senior DHS official and another U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe how the operation against Khalil took shape.

Nearly 100 people were arrested after protesters gathered at Trump Tower in Manhattan Thursday to denounce the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist detained by ICE over his involvement with pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University.

A U.S. green card holder faces deportation after helping lead student protests at Columbia University in New York last spring over the war in Gaza.

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

Some protesters held signs that read "Fight Nazis not students," "Free Mahmoud free Palestine" and "You can’t deport a movement."

Protesters carries signs reading "Free Mahmoud Khalil," "Fight Nazis not students" and "You can't deport a movement."