Mahmoud Halil arrives at Newar Liberty International Airport
Mahmoud Khalil will arrive at Newar Liberty International Airport on Saturday, June 21st.
Columbia University alumnus Mahmoud Khalil has been holding months in immigration detention in connection with his pro-Palestinian activities and is seeking $20 million in a claim filed against the Trump administration on July 10.
Halil alleges that the government misappropriated arrest, imprisoned and abused the power to indict him. His treatment, the allegations say, caused “severe emotional distress, financial difficulties, damage to his reputation, and serious obstacles to his initial and fifth amendments.”
The 30-year-old activist, arrested in Manhattan on March 8, was taken into custody at a Louisiana facility 1,400 miles from his pregnant wife and later his newborn son. On June 20, a federal judge in New Jersey ordered his release, finding that the government’s efforts to deport him on foreign policy grounds are likely unconstitutional.
“This is the first step towards accountability,” Halil said in a statement. “I cannot recover the 104 days stolen from me. Trauma, separation from my wife, the birth of my first child I was forced to miss.” He sought “accountability for political retaliation and abuse of power.”
The harm stemmed from Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision that Halil’s existence and activities were disadvantaged in the interests of foreign policy, the claims stated. The Trump administration said it has the power to deport non-citizens on foreign policy basis under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
In response to Halil’s claims, Homeland Security Advisor Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that “it is a privilege to be granted a visa or green card to live and study in the United States,” and that “the Trump administration acted well within the legal and constitutional authority to bind Khalil.”
President Donald Trump has combined protesters of the Gaza anti-Semitic Israeli war with support for “terrorist activities.” Halil said such allegations were false and “provoked extreme emotional distress and ruined him to the point of regaining his reputation, career and safety.” Since his arrest, Halil has denounced anti-Semitism.
The allegations have led to Halil and his wife being targeted for harassment, death threats, surveillance and frivolous lawsuits. Halil said the government’s treatment was retaliation for a constitutionally protected speech defending Palestinian rights, and he would not be silent.
His claims portend a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, said the Center for Constitutional Rights, part of his legal team.
Halil still faces accusations
Khalil is still accused of a charge in federal court in New Jersey that he has inaccurate green card applications. He and his lawyer say the allegations are wrong. On July 9, his lawyer filed a motion challenging the government’s attempts to detain and expel him based on immigration charges.
A Palestinian born in Syria, Khalil was a student negotiator and spokesman for Colombian protesters in the spring of 2024 when demonstrations of the war in Gaza grabbed university campus. Federal immigration agents arrested Halil in the lobby of a student apartment in Manhattan on March 8th and returned home from dinner with his wife.
“I will continue to pursue justice for everyone who contributed to my illegal detention and spread to destroy my reputation, including those who belong to Columbia University.”
“I am not just for myself, but for everyone, for everyone, for all who wants to be silent by fear, asylum or detention,” he said.
Halil’s attorneys filed claims against the Department of Homeland Security and the state under the federal tort claims laws.
Khalil is seeking $20 million in damages for personal injury and mental distress. He would accept an official apology and abandonment of the administration’s unconstitutional policies in place of payment, a statement from his lawyer said.
