Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University facing deportation by the Trump administration for his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, has identified himself as a “political prisoner” in his first comments since his arrest on March 8. Khalil and his pregnant wife, Noor Abdalla, an American citizen, were detained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after dining out.
In a letter released on Tuesday, Khalil criticized his arrest and the conditions faced by detainees in U.S. immigration facilities. He highlighted the cold mornings and the silent injustices experienced by those who lack legal protections. Khalil also mentioned that the agents threatened Noor for staying by his side. He was detained without a warrant, and the DHS kept his arrest details confidential.
Khalil, a lawful permanent U.S. resident, expressed uncertainty about the reasons for his detention and whether he faced immediate deportation. His lawyer, Amy Greer, noted that it is uncommon for green card holders to face deportation, usually reserved for severe crimes.
In April 2024, students nationwide protested to demand an end to university involvement in Israel’s war on Gaza, with Columbia University seeing significant media attention due to the magnitude of its protests.
The Trump administration accuses Khalil of engaging in activities aligned with Hamas, though no evidence has been provided. Donald Trump has accused Columbia University student protesters of involvement in “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity,” again without offering any proof.
Khalil asserts that his arrest resulted from his advocacy for a free Palestine and an end to violence in Gaza. He compares his incarceration to Israel’s practice of administrative detention, where Palestinians are imprisoned without trial. Khalil vows to continue the fight for Palestine’s liberation and expresses hope to be free when his child is born.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/19/political-prisoner-palestinian-mahmoud-khalil-decries-arrest-in-the-us?traffic_source=rss
