Pro-Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Files $20M False Imprisonment Claim Against Trump Administration

Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, has filed a $20 million claim against the Trump administration alleging false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and defamation as the government sought to deport him due to his activism. Khalil spent 104 days detained in a Louisiana immigration center far from his family and was released following a federal judge's order, but he continues to face an ongoing deportation case. His lawsuit names the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the State Department as defendants, accusing them of unconstitutional targeting and political retaliation. Khalil seeks financial restitution to support others similarly detained, an official apology, and policy changes, emphasizing that his goal is accountability rather than personal enrichment. The Trump administration defended its actions, citing concerns over Khalil's rhetoric and its impact on Jewish students. Khalil's case highlights broader tensions over the government's treatment of pro-Palestinian activists and debates over free speech and immigration enforcement under the current administration.