Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist, finds himself at the gates of the university on April 30, 2024. In a letter written from a detention facility, Khalil expresses feeling “targeted” for his support of the Palestinian cause. A judge has ruled that his legal challenge against his arrest will proceed in a New Jersey court.
Khalil, a 30-year-old Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent and a legal U.S. resident, was detained by federal immigration agents on March 8 in New York. After a brief period in New Jersey, he was moved to a facility in Jena, Louisiana, where he remains. He is married to a U.S. citizen and had been actively involved in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University the previous spring.
His challenge to the detention was initially filed in a Manhattan federal court, where the judge denied the Trump administration’s attempt to dismiss the case but allowed it to be transferred to New Jersey for further review. The judge emphasized the seriousness of Khalil’s allegations and the need for a thorough examination of the case. The order preventing Khalil’s removal from the country remains in place, pending the decision of the New Jersey federal court.
In his letter, Khalil describes the conditions in the facility, labeling himself a “political prisoner” and condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza. He recounts his arrest at his Columbia University residence, where he and his wife were confronted by Department of Homeland Security agents without a warrant. Khalil was handcuffed and taken away in an unmarked vehicle, with concerns for his pregnant wife’s safety at the forefront of his mind.
Detailing his commitment to advocating for a free Palestine and denouncing the violence in Gaza, Khalil highlights the ongoing struggles faced by individuals in detention facilities and in conflict zones. He urges continued efforts towards achieving justice and freedom for those affected by oppression and violence.
The Department of Homeland Security had previously alleged that Khalil was associated with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Despite these claims, Khalil remains resolute in his pursuit of justice and remains a focal point for supporters seeking his release.
Alleged Khalil led protests that disrupted the campus, targeted Jewish American students, and distributed pro-Hamas materials. Khalil’s lawyer, Samah Sisay, refuted the Trump administration’s accusations, asserting there is no proof that Khalil supported any terrorist group.
In a statement, Khalil recounted his background, mentioning his birth in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria following his family’s displacement during the 1948 Nakba. “I grew up near yet far from my homeland,” he remarked. “Being Palestinian transcends borders. I draw parallels between my situation and Israel’s use of administrative detention to deprive Palestinians of their rights. For Palestinians, unfair imprisonment is a norm.”
Khalil suggested that his arrest was a result of “anti-Palestinian bias” shown by both the Biden and Trump administrations, as the U.S. continued to arm Israel while hindering global intervention. He claimed the Trump administration was targeting him to suppress dissent and warned about potential actions against individuals with differing political views.
Encouraging solidarity, Khalil called on students, activists, and officials to unite in supporting Palestinian rights. He announced his legal team’s move to request his release to return to his wife in a preliminary injunction filed at a federal court in New York’s Southern District. Khalil expressed his wish to witness the birth of his first child despite the circumstances.
