President Donald Trump’s administration has hit a snag in their immigration crackdown with Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
In a newly filed civil claim, Khalil, now free on bail and back home in New York, accuses the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the State Department of false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and defamation—including being wrongly branded an antisemite—after his arrest and detention in March.
“Khalil’s claim is absurd,” DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in an emailed statement to the Associated Press. She accused Khalil of engaging in “hateful behavior and rhetoric” that DHS says threatened Jewish students.
The State Department, meanwhile, said its actions regarding Khalil were lawful and appropriate.
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Khalil, a 30-year-old Columbia University graduate student, told AP the lawsuit is about holding those in power accountable.
“They are abusing their power because they think they are untouchable,” he said. “Unless they feel there is some sort of accountability, it will continue to go unchecked.”
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-born U.S. permanent resident and Columbia University MPA student, became a central figure in the political clash between the Trump administration and pro-Palestinian activism. Born in a Syrian refugee camp in 1995, Khalil resettled in the U.S. and became known for organizing pro-Palestinian protests on Columbia’s campus in 2024. His outspoken advocacy drew the attention of the Trump administration, which implemented a controversial policy targeting foreign students perceived as “anti-American” or “anti-Israel.”
On March 8, ICE agents arrested Khalil at his apartment without a warrant, citing the revocation of his visa and green card. He was transported over 1,300 miles to the LaSalle Detention Center in Louisiana, where he was held in solitary confinement for 104 days under harsh conditions.
Khalil’s detention drew sharp criticism from civil rights groups, legal scholars, and student organizations, who viewed it as a direct violation of his First and Fifth Amendment rights. Denied access to medication, adequate food, and legal counsel, Khalil was effectively cut off from the outside world.
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In May and June, two federal judges in New York and New Jersey ruled in his favor, blocking his deportation and ordering a review of his immigration status. Khalil was released on June 20, after growing pressure from lawmakers, international observers, and the United Nations Human Rights Council. He immediately resumed public appearances, declaring that his detention only strengthened his resolve to speak out on behalf of Palestinian rights and civil liberties in the U.S.
The legal claim, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, marks a significant step toward potential civil litigation and comes as Khalil’s deportation case continues in immigration court.
The lawsuit filed by Mahmoud Khalil could have significant legal and political implications for Trump. While it targets federal agencies under his administration, it highlights concerns about abuse of executive power, particularly regarding immigration and civil liberties. Though Trump himself isn’t directly named as a defendant, the case adds to growing scrutiny over policies enacted during his presidency. If Khalil wins or the government settles, it may set a precedent for others detained under similar conditions. Politically, it could fuel criticism of Trump’s treatment of dissent and deepen divisions over how his administration handled pro-Palestinian activism and immigration enforcement.