Overview

• 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.