US AUTHORITIES detained a prominent pro-Palestinian student activist at his home in New York City at the weekend, claiming without evidence that his permanent residency had been revoked.

Mahmoud Khalil, an Algerian citizen of Palestinian origin and recent Columbia University post-graduate student, was detained by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents on Saturday.

As Mr Khalil and his pregnant wife, a US citizen, arrived home about 8.30pm on Saturday, two plainclothes DHS agents barged their way in.