Columbia University’s 2025 commencement ceremony turned contentious as Acting President Claire Shipman addressed the absence of Mahmoud Khalil, a detained graduate student. Shipman’s comments defending Khalil’s free speech rights were met with boos and chants from graduates, highlighting deep divisions over campus activism and administrative responses.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born recent graduate of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March 2025 for his involvement in anti-Israel campus protests. Khalil remains detained in Louisiana.
During the ceremony, Shipman acknowledged Khalil’s absence, stating that international students deserve the same free speech rights and should not be targeted by the government for expressing their views. Her remarks were met with immediate backlash from attendees, with many booing and chanting “Free Mahmoud.” Some graduates walked out in protest, expressing frustration over the university’s handling of the situation.
Outside the ceremony, approximately 100 protesters gathered, leading to at least two arrests. The protests reflect ongoing tensions at Columbia regarding the administration’s response to anti-Israel activism and the broader implications for free speech on campus.
