Pro-Palestinian student activist arrested by ICE releases statement
The Columbia University activist, Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested by federal immigration authorities and is facing possible deportation over his alleged support for Hamas, has issued a statement from inside the detention facility where he is currently being held. Khalil, a 30-year-old green card holder married to a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on March 8.
In a letter released by his legal team on Tuesday, Khalil described his arrest as a result of “anti-Palestinian racism.” He pointed fingers at Columbia University’s administration, particularly former President Minouche Shafik, for not adequately addressing allegations of antisemitic behavior on campus before stepping down.
“My unjust detention is a clear indication of the anti-Palestinian racism perpetuated by both the Biden and Trump administrations over the past 16 months, as the U.S. continues to supply weapons to Israel for the killing of Palestinians and hinder international intervention,” Khalil stated. “Anti-Palestinian racism has fueled the expansion of U.S. laws and practices used to oppress Palestinians, Arab Americans, and other marginalized communities, which is why I am being targeted.”
Khalil, known for his involvement in anti-Israel protests at Columbia, is currently fighting against his deportation through the legal system. Following his arrest, a judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting him. In a recent legal victory, a judge ruled that Khalil’s deportation case should be heard in New Jersey, where it was initially filed, rather than in Louisiana where he is currently detained due to a reported bedbug infestation at the New Jersey facility.
“While I await crucial legal decisions that impact the future of my family, those responsible for my targeting are still at ease at Columbia University,” Khalil expressed in his letter. “Presidents Shafik, Armstrong, and Dean Yarhi-Milo paved the way for the U.S. government to single me out by unfairly disciplining pro-Palestinian students and allowing racist doxing campaigns to go unchecked.”
Khalil deemed his arrest a violation of his First Amendment rights and part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to stifle dissent. He called on students, activists, and elected officials to come together in defense of the right to protest for Palestine in the face of adversity.
“I have always believed that my duty is not only to free myself from oppression but also to free my oppressors from their hatred and fear,” Khalil concluded.
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