Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Challenges Detention Claims

Khalil, detained by ICE in Louisiana, asserts his arrest is retaliation for pro-Palestinian activism, while the government cites national security and logistical reasons.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and green card holder, was detained on March 8, 2025, and transferred from New Jersey to a Louisiana detention center.
The U.S. government claims the transfer was due to overcrowding and a bedbug issue at the New Jersey facility, but Khalil and his legal team dispute this as a pretext for political motives.
Khalil describes himself as a 'political prisoner,' alleging his detention is retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism and criticism of U.S. foreign policy on Israel.
His detention has drawn widespread protests, legal challenges, and condemnation from civil rights groups and over 100 Democratic lawmakers questioning its legality.
Khalil’s legal team is seeking his release on bail, arguing his detention violates First Amendment rights and hinders his ability to prepare his defense.

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