Washington, D.C.: Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University, has described himself as a “political prisoner” following his detention by U.S. immigration authorities. His arrest has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and over 100 Democratic lawmakers, who have called it an attack on free speech and due process, reported the Reuters.
Khalil, a U.S. permanent resident, was detained on March 8, with the Trump administration citing “adverse foreign policy consequences” as the reason for his potential deportation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the determination, raising concerns about how the U.S. government is handling pro-Palestinian activism.
In a letter released on Tuesday, March 18, Khalil wrote, “My arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza.” His detention follows renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, which, according to local authorities, have resulted in over 400 Palestinian deaths.
Protests demanding Khalil’s release have erupted across major U.S. cities, including New York, where hundreds gathered in Times Square. His legal team argues that the government has not provided any evidence linking him to Hamas or any other militant group, despite former President Donald Trump’s claims.
Trump has vowed to deport pro-Palestinian activists from U.S. college campuses, alleging that their demonstrations amount to antisemitism and support for Hamas. However, pro-Palestinian advocates, including Jewish organizations, have pushed back, arguing that criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza is being unfairly equated with hate speech.
Khalil’s wife is eight months pregnant, adding urgency to his lawyers’ calls for immediate release. His case is expected to test the limits of First Amendment protections for non-citizens in the U.S.
