Khalil's attorneys said he is a green card holder married to a pregnant American citizen, and are challenging the validity of the arrest and detention. Khalil's arrest is the latest move by the Trump administration to make good on campaign promises to punish student protesters and universities the president argues have tolerated or encouraged anti-American and anti-Jewish sentiment during pro-Palestinian protests.

Rare tensions are surfacing between Israel and President Donald Trump’s administration, after the US engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas regarding hostages in Gaza, including an American national.