ICE Detention of Activist Mahmoud Khalil Fuels Debate as 'The Encampments' Documentary Premieres

The film, chronicling the 2024 Columbia University protests, reignites discussions on student activism, civil liberties, and government overreach.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian refugee and key figure in the 2024 Columbia protests, remains in ICE detention in Louisiana, with a federal court temporarily blocking his deportation.
The newly released documentary 'The Encampments,' narrated by Khalil and co-produced by Macklemore, highlights the student-led divestment movement and its broader implications for activism and free speech.
The Trump administration has cited national security concerns and alleged immigration violations in its actions against Khalil and other foreign pro-Palestinian activists.
Critics of the documentary argue it omits key context about the Israel-Hamas conflict, while supporters praise its focus on student resistance and civil rights.
Khalil also faces a lawsuit from families of Israeli hostages, accusing him of acting as a propaganda arm for Hamas, further polarizing public opinion on his activism.