New York City law enforcement arrested more than 80 students at Columbia University on Wednesday after a large group of masked anti-Israel protesters stormed Butler Library.

The incident unfolded in the middle of the university’s final exam period, forcing non-protesting students to evacuate the building and suspend their studies.

The protesters, reportedly in support of pro-Palestinian causes, overwhelmed campus security in the afternoon before New York Police Department (NYPD) officers were called in to restore order.

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According to NYPD sources cited by Fox News, all individuals arrested were confirmed to be students.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) monitored the situation closely.

A source within ICE told Fox News that suspects taken into custody would be fingerprinted to determine immigration status and identify any non-citizens. “Time to make a point,” the ICE source said.

The State Department also issued a warning to foreign nationals studying in the U.S., signaling that legal violations or support for terrorism could lead to visa revocation.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed his agency is “reviewing the visa status of the trespassers and vandals who took over Columbia University’s library.”

He added, “Pro-Hamas thugs are no longer welcome in our great nation.”

Students participating in the protest were reportedly rallying in support of Mahmoud Khalil, identified as the central figure in pro-Palestinian activism at Columbia.

Khalil, a graduate of the university, was arrested last month at his university-owned apartment. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division served him with notice of green card and visa revocation.

According to his attorney Amy Greer, Khalil is currently being held at a detention center in Louisiana.

Protesters inside the library renamed the building “Basel Al-Araj Popular University” on flyers and began chanting “Free Palestine,” while climbing on desks and demanding Columbia divest from Israel.

Students not involved in the protest expressed concern that a permanent encampment might be established.

Columbia University’s acting president Claire Shipman issued a statement on Wednesday confirming the NYPD had been asked to help secure the library.

Two university public safety officers were injured when individuals forced their way into Room 301 during the incident.

“Individuals participating in the Reading Room 301 disruption were repeatedly asked for identification and to leave, and were repeatedly told that failure to comply would result in violations of our rules and policies and possible arrest for trespassing,” Shipman said.

“Requesting the presence of the NYPD is not the outcome we wanted, but it was absolutely necessary to secure the safety of our community.”

Columbia security personnel locked down the area, telling protesters they could not exit without showing ID.

“Nobody comes in, nobody comes out,” campus security at the main gate said, according to Fox News.

UPDATE: Palestine protestors are now PLEADING to be let out of the Columbia University which they invaded, as officials BLOCK them from leaving without ID pic.twitter.com/ADfS38XIB6

“Please, please let us out!”

Those who REFUSE to provide ID are being arrested on the spot.… https://t.co/jAuWai15Dd

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 7, 2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams also weighed in, directing protesters who are not Columbia students to leave the campus or face arrest.

He expressed support for Jewish students and said, “We will not tolerate hate or violence in any form in our city.”

The university reiterated its zero-tolerance stance for campus disruptions.

“These disruptions of our campus and academic activities will not be tolerated,” a spokesperson said.

“Individuals found to be in violation of University Rules and policies will face disciplinary consequences.”

BREAKING: Complete chaos is unfolding outside the gates of Columbia University after hundreds of masked terror supporters began attacking the police.

Bring in the National Guard and arrest every single person involved. Americans have had enough. pic.twitter.com/fS5pDbF84i

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) May 8, 2025

Last month, Columbia stated it would dismantle any unauthorized encampments and warned of arrests if demonstrations interfered with academic functions.

The university was responding to internal intelligence about attempts to replicate last year’s takeover of Hamilton Hall, which led to more than 200 arrests during protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

President Minouche Shafik recently stepped down following months of backlash over her handling of anti-Israel protests and a documented rise in antisemitism on campus.

The fallout has been significant. In March, President Donald Trump rescinded $400 million in federal grants from Columbia, citing its failure to protect Jewish students.

In response, Columbia announced this week that nearly 180 employees would be laid off due to funding losses.

“Nearly 180 of our colleagues… will receive notices of non-renewal or termination,” Shipman said, noting the funding cuts affected about 20% of the individuals supported by those grants.

In Washington, House GOP Chair Rep. Lisa McClain criticized Democrats’ calls for investigations into universities with anti-Israel protests.

“We don’t need to do an investigation. We know what the problem is,” she said.

“Columbia is a prime example of what happens when there are no consequences.”

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., praised President Trump’s decision to pull funding. “While Columbia students try to study for finals, they’re being bombarded with chants for a ‘global intifada,’” she wrote on X.

“Columbia must act—enough is enough.”

While Columbia students try to study for finals, they’re being bombarded with chants for a “global intifada.”

President @realDonaldTrump is right: not a single taxpayer dollar should go to a university that allows chaos, antisemitism, and civil rights violations on its campus.… pic.twitter.com/OiXgdYZXZp

— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) May 7, 2025

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