Protesters have gathered in New York’s Times Square late Saturday night to demand release of pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil after an immigration judge in the state of Louisiana issued a deportation order for the Columbia University graduate student.

The US cities of Washington and New York were scene of pro-Palestine rallies as demonstrators called for release of postgraduate activist Mahmoud Khalil.

The Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organization (MAPIM) has condemned in strongest terms the arrest of a pro-Palestine activist by US immigration authorities and also Washington’s weaponizing immigration laws to silence the dissent.

Protesters have held rally in Washington and New York demanding release of pro-Palestine activist who led the last spring student protests at Columbia University. Khalil was arrested Saturday night by federal immigration authorities who said they were acting on a State Department order to revoke his green card.