Civil rights advocates have denounced the arrest of Columbia graduate and activist Mahmoud Khalil as an “extreme attack” on his First Amendment rights.

Khalil remains detained at a detention center in Louisiana but the Trump administration has still not publicly accused the activist of a crime, only saying he engaged in “pro-Hamas activity.”

Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, joined “Inside City Hall” Tuesday to discuss the issue.

“Everybody in the country has a right to free speech. We’re all protected by the first amendment whether we’re citizens, green card holders or just vistors,” Lieberman said. “This is pure and simple retaliation for expressing political views that the Trump administration doesn’t like.”

Tap the video player above to watch the interview.