Mahmoud Khalil

Mamdani defends activist Mahmoud Khalil amid Trump administration deportation push

"I will make that clear to everyone - I have said it time and again - that he deserves to stay in the city. He deserves to be here, just like any other New Yorker." said Zohran Mamdani.

NEW YORK CITY Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani speaks at the foot of a monument to US founding father Thomas Jefferson.
 Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil stands next to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a day after he was released from immigration custody, at Newark airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., June 21, 2025.

US to deport pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil to Algeria, Homeland Security official claims

Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil attends a pro-Palestinian protest outside Columbia University, in Manhattan in New York City, US, October 7, 2025

Court overturns ruling to free pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, paving way for rearrest

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference in Central Park in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City, US, November 24, 2025.

Mamdani reportedly taps anti-Israel lawyer who defended 9/11 for Chief Counsel


Columbia University denies campus access to activist Mahmoud Khalil over safety concerns

"They’re censoring anything connected to Palestine, anything that exposes their repression, their retaliation, and their complicity in genocide," said Mahmoud Khalil

Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil attends a pro-Palestinian protest outside Columbia University, in Manhattan in New York City, US, October 7, 2025

What is CAIR: The US Muslim rights group with terror ties - explainer

CAIR, founded in 1994, had the mission of fighting anti-Muslim discrimination in the US by trying to inform and educate the public about Islam.

Roula Allouch (L), chair of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Rabiah Ahmed (C) of the Muslim Public Affairs Council listen to Nihad Awad (R), executive director and founder of CAIR, speak during a news conference with American Muslim leaders to discuss "growing Islamophobia" at t

Trump-backed targeting of pro-Palestinian activists for deportation is unlawful, US judge rules

A federal judge ruled Trump’s administration violated free speech by revoking visas and deporting students over pro-Palestinian advocacy during the Gaza war.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest outside the main campus of Columbia University during the Columbia commencement ceremony in Manhattan, in New York City, May 21, 2025.

Immigration judge orders Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil deported to Algeria or Syria

Louisiana immigration Judge Jamee Comans orders Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation to Algeria or Syria, citing activism ties. His legal team appeals the decision in a civil rights case.

 Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil stands next to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a day after he was released from immigration custody, at Newark airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., June 21, 2025.

Mahmoud Khalil pushes back on claims of antisemitism at Columbia in Ezra Klein interview

“I would say there is this manufactured hysteria about antisemitism at Columbia because of the protests,” Khalil said.

 MUSLIM PROTESTERS pray outside Columbia University’s main campus in March as they denounce the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, in New York City. The writer asks: Should Khalil, a radical leader, be protected because of ‘free speech?’

'I hate this selective conversation': Mahmoud Khalil 'refuses to condemn' Hamas in CNN interview

During the CNN interview, Khalil said, "It’s disingenuous to ask about condemning Hamas while the Palestinians are the ones being starved now by Israel."

Protestors gather to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil at Foley Square on March 10, 2025 in New York City. Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist arrested Saturday, received a temporary reprieve from deportation.

'They want to make an example out of me': Mahmoud Khalil sues Trump admin. over arrest - CNN

“From the moment that I was detained, I knew that I would eventually prevail,” he said. “What I simply did is protesting a genocide.”

 Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil gestures next to his wife Dr. Noor Abdalla and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) at Newark airport, a day after he was released from immigration custody, in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., June 21, 2025.

Mahmoud Khalil seeks $20 million from Trump administration over immigration arrest

A DHS spokesperson called Khalil's claim "absurd" and said the Trump administration acted well within its legal authority to detain Khalil.

Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil gestures as he is released from immigration custody in Jena, Louisiana, U.S. June 20, 2025.

Pro-Palestinian Georgetown student can remain free, US appeals court rules

A three-judge panel of the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 against the administration's request that Badar Khan Suri be returned to immigration detention.

 Georgetown researcher and Indian national Badar Khan Suri, (center, blue shirt) who the Department of Homeland Security detained for two months for accusations of antisemitism and supporting Hamas, lands at Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Mahmoud Khalil says detainment ‘felt like kidnapping’ in first interview since release

Khalil, a 30-year-old Columbia University graduate and permanent US resident, was the first student pro-Palestinian protest leader to be detained by the Trump administration.

 Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil stands next to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a day after he was released from immigration custody, at Newark airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., June 21, 2025.