Palestinian Activist Sues Trump Administration for $20M

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, has filed a $20 million claim against the Trump administration, alleging false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and being smeared as an antisemite due to his leadership in pro-Palestinian campus protests. Khalil, a legal U.S. permanent resident, was detained by ICE for over 100 days, missing the birth of his son, before a federal judge ordered his release after finding the government's deportation efforts likely unconstitutional. The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit under the Federal Tort Claims Act, names the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and the State Department as targets. Khalil seeks accountability for what he describes as political retaliation and abuse of power, stating he would accept an official apology and reforms to deportation policies in lieu of financial compensation and plans to share any settlement with others similarly targeted. The Trump administration and DHS have dismissed the claim as absurd, asserting that their actions were lawful and justified by national security concerns. The case has become a flashpoint in broader debates over free speech, political dissent, and federal power in the context of campus protests related to Israel’s war in Gaza.