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Dozens arrested after Columbia library protest
At least 75 people were arrested after a group of pro-Palestinian protesters stormed Butler Library at Columbia University, disrupting students studying for exams. According to university officials, some of those involved were not students, and two Columbia public safety officers were injured. FOX 5's Linda Schmidt has the story.
NEW YORK CITY - Columbia University has recently announced it will pay a settlement of over $200 million to the Trump administration to restore the majority of its federal funding, which comes after a long battle between the university and the federal government.
The agreement calls for numerous reforms and policies regarding admissions, campus protests, curriculum, diversity programs and more in exchange for billions of dollars in federal support, including $400 million in grants that were canceled this year.
Timeline:
This settlement comes after a great number of protests at the university and conflicts between the school and the government after President Trump took office. Here is a 2025 timeline leading up to the agreement:
JUMP TO:
Feb 26 | March 8 | March 9 | March 11 | March 12 | March 13 | March 14 | March 19 | March 21 | March 25 | March 28 | April 12 | April 14 | April 30 | May 7 | June 11 | June 13 | June 20 | July 24
February 26: Students protest by temporarily occupying Barnard College building
A small group of Columbia student demonstrators pushed past security guards and temporarily occupied a building at Barnard College to protest students' expulsion.
The protest came after two students were expelled from Columbia University who allegedly stormed into a classroom and threw anti-Israel fliers in early January.
Officials said the student demonstrators "physically assaulted" a Barnard employee.
March 8: Trump administration announces federal cuts for Columbia
The Trump administration announced it would pull $400 million from Columbia University, canceling grants and contracts.
The federal government reasoned that the university tolerated antisemitism on campus after the wave of pro-Palestinian protests and encampments. Columbia said it would work with the government to try to get the money back.
Many protesters claimed there is nothing antisemitic about criticizing Israel over its actions in Gaza or expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
March 9: ICE arrests Mahmoud Khalil, former Columbia graduate student
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Mahmoud Khalil for involvement in pro-Palestinian protests, acting to revoke his visa and green card. He was then transferred to an immigration detention center in Louisiana.
Khalil, a Palestinian former graduate student of Columbia University, served as a negotiator for students when they bargained with Columbia over the end of the tent encampment protests last year.
The arrest was one of the first major actions under President Donald Trump's pledge to deport international students who had participated in college protests against the war in Gaza.
Who is Mahmoud Khalil? Judge blocks deportation of Palestinian Columbia U. graduate arrested by ICE
A judge has blocked the Trump administration from deporting Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University for his role in pro-Palestinian protests at the school.
March 11: NYC protests over Khalil's arrest
Protests broke out in New York City and across the country in response to the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil.
Protesters in a peaceful rally in Washington Square Park demanded the release of Khalil while other protesters in Lower Manhattan clashed with the police.
Protests in Washington Square Park against the detention of Mahmoud Khalil.
March 12: Trump administration seeks Khalil deportation
Mahmoud Khalil remained detained in Louisiana as the Trump administration sought the deportation of Khalil under a rarely used section of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows for removal on foreign policy grounds.
The Department of Homeland Security accused Khalil of protesting in alignment with Hamas, a terrorist organization.
March 13: Columbia disciplinary action for protesters and Trump Tower protests
As the university faced increased criticism and funding cuts by the new administration, the school moved to suspend, expel or revoke diplomas of students involved in the pro-Palestinian protest at Hamilton Hall last year.
The disciplinary actions followed months of investigations into the protests and Columbia defended its decision as necessary due to the "severity of behaviors."
Free speech advocates and faculty members criticized the university's actions, and civil rights supporters claimed that the order targeted students for their political opinion.
NYPD clears Barnard College library after pro-Palestine protesters occupy building
Several protesters were arrested after pro-Palestine demonstrators occupied Barnard College's Milstein Center, leading to a NYPD response after a bomb threat forced evacuations.
On the same day, at the Trump Tower protests in Midtown, protesters stormed inside and around the building to show support for Mahmoud Khalil.
Police said over 150 demonstrators showed up, and almost 100 people were arrested. The group, "Jewish Voice for Peace," claimed credit for the protest.
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Dozens of protesters storm Trump Tower, standoff with NYPD
Video footage from inside Trump Tower shows protesters being escorted by police. Tensions between the protesters and law enforcement appear to be escalating.
March 14: DHS searches student rooms at Columbia
Homeland Security agents searched two student rooms at Columbia University overnight; the searches were carried out under judicial authorization from a federal magistrate.
The interim president, Katrina Armstrong, expressed unease in a letter to the Columbia community and confirmed that no arrests were made.
Meanwhile, protests still continued throughout the city to call for the reinstatement of Columbia students and the removal of federal agents from campus.
March 19: Federal judge orders Khalil back to NJ
A Manhattan federal judge blocked Mahmoud Khalil's deportation for the moment and ordered for him to be transferred to New Jersey.
In a letter from the Louisiana detention center, Khalil claimed his detention reflects "anti-Palestinian racism."
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Mahmoud Khalil breaks silence from detention center
For the first time since his arrest by ICE agents, Khalil is speaking out, claiming he is being targeted and calling himself a political prisoner. FOX 5 NY's Briella Tomassetti has more on what the activist is saying.
Columbia University responds to demands
March 21: Columbia implements policy change demands by the Trump administration
After the Trump administration cut $400 million in funding support for the university, federal officials demanded nine changes to Columbia's academic and security policies to restore them.
The interim president responded, announcing that the university would put the Middle East studies department under new supervision, change rules for protests, adopt a new definition of antisemitism and staff up its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies.
In response, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Columbia is "on the right track" to regain federal funding.
This decision drew criticism and condemnation from students, faculty and advocates who led rallies in front of the university.
Columbia U. 'on the right track' to recover federal funding: Education Sec.
Columbia University is "on the right track" to regain federal funding after agreeing to policy changes demanded by the Trump administration, according to Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
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Columbia to comply with Trump admin's demands
Columbia University has agreed to comply with a list of demands from the Trump administration in order to regain access to $400 million in federal funding.
March 25: Columbia student files lawsuit against Trump administration
Columbia University student Yunseo Chung was arrested for what DHS called, "concerning conduct," during a pro-Palestinian protest. A federal judge then temporarily blocked her potential deportation after Chung filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
Chung, a lawful permanent resident, argued that the government attempted to use immigration enforcement to silence speech they disagree with.
March 28: Columbia interim president resigns
Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong resigned, following disapproval of her actions regarding the protests and demands.
April 12: Judge says Mahmoud Khalil can be deported
A Louisiana judge ruled that Mahmoud Khalil can be deported for being a national security risk, with the potential to harm foreign relations. Protests erupted across New York City, with the largest at Union Square Park.
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Judge rules Mahmoud Khalil can be deported
A Louisiana immigration judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and activist, can be deported, siding with the Trump administration’s argument that his presence in the U.S. poses a national security risk. The decision, based on a memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, does not accuse Khalil of any criminal conduct but alleges his actions during pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia were pro-terrorist and anti-Semitic. FOX 5's Jessica Formoso has the story.
April 14: Mohsen Mahdawi arrested while applying for U.S. citizenship
Mohsen Mahdawi, who led pro-Palestinian protests as a student at Columbia University, was arrested at a Vermont immigration office while he was applying for U.S. citizenship.
Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident with a green card, was detained at the immigration services office in Colchester by ICE. He co-founded the Palestinian Student Union at Columbia with Mahmoud Khalil.
The government argued that Mahdawi was removable under the Immigration and Nationality Act and in response, multiple lawmakers including Sen. Bernie Sanders retaliated, saying as a legal resident, Mahdawi must be given due process and be released from detention.
Columbia protest leader detained by ICE while applying for U.S. citizenship
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student activist and recent Columbia University graduate was arrested Monday during a citizenship appointment in Vermont, according to his attorneys.
April 30: Columbia activist Mahdawi released
A judge released Mohsen Mahdawi and outside of the courthouse, Mahdawi addressed President Trump saying, "I am not afraid of you."
May 7: Dozens of protesters storm Columbia library and at least 75 are arrested
Dozens of apparent pro-Palestinian activists pushed past security guards and stormed Columbia University's Butler Library while students were studying for exams.
Columbia University's Public Safety Team responded to the scene and asked protesters for their identification and to leave the area, according to the university. The NYPD arrested at least 75 of the activists and Columbia University officials condemned the act.
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Dozens arrested after Columbia library protest
At least 75 people were arrested after a group of pro-Palestinian protesters stormed Butler Library at Columbia University, disrupting students studying for exams. According to university officials, some of those involved were not students, and two Columbia public safety officers were injured. FOX 5's Linda Schmidt has the story.
Dispute between federal judge and Trump administration over Mahmoud Khalil
June 11: Judge rules ICE must release Khalil
At the beginning of June, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiaz in New Jersey ruled that ICE must release Mahmoud Khalil, because lawful permanent residents are not delayed for posing "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences." The judge allowed the government to appeal within 40 hours.
June 13: Trump administration continues to detain Khalil
After the Trump administration missed the 9:30 a.m. appeal deadline, Khalil's lawyers urged the judge to release Khalil. However, the judge gave the government an extension until 1:30 p.m., and in a reply the administration said it will continue to hold Khalil over allegations that he lied on his green card application, not due to his pro-Palestinian activity.
Former Columbia Univrsity student Mahmoud Khalil reacts as he arrives to Newark airport next to his wife Noor Abdalla (R) and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (L), Democrat of New York, in Newark, New Jersey, on June 21, 2025. Mahmoud Khali …
June 20: Mahmoud Khalil released
Khalil landed in New Jersey after the judge granted bail and released him from the ICE detention facility.
Khalil reunited with his wife and infant son as well as other supporters including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY.
Columbia University settlement with federal government
July 24: Columbia pays over $200 million in settlement fees
Columbia University announced it will pay over $220 million to the Trump administration to restore the majority of its federal funding. The agreement calls for multiple changes in policies and reforms in admissions, campus protests, curriculum, diversity programs and more in exchange for billions of dollars in federal support, including $400 million in grants that were canceled this year.
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Columbia University will pay over $220M to Trump admin to restore funding
Columbia University has agreed to pay over $220 million to the Trump administration to restore the majority of its federal funding.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story implied that Columbia's interim president "acceded" to President Trump's demands. The article has been updated with the correct information.