Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University, became a well-known figure in campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war last spring. He played a key role in organizing demonstrations and negotiating with university officials, pushing for Columbia to cut financial ties with Israel and related companies.
However, his activism has now made him a central figure in former President Donald Trump’s efforts to punish what he describes as antisemitic and “anti-American” protests on college campuses. On Saturday, federal immigration agents arrested Khalil at his home, placing him in detention and raising concerns that he could be deported.
Who Is Mahmoud Khalil?
Khalil, 30, is a Palestinian born in Syria. Before coming to Columbia, he worked at the United Kingdom’s embassy for Syria in Beirut, where he helped run a scholarship fund and assisted with diplomatic matters. His former colleague, British diplomat Andrew Waller, described Khalil as intelligent, thoughtful, and kind.
Due to Syria’s civil war, Khalil had to leave his home country and pursue his studies elsewhere. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science in Lebanon before continuing his education at Columbia University.
His Role in the Columbia Protests
When protests over the war in Gaza erupted on Columbia’s campus in 2024, Khalil quickly became a leader among pro-Palestinian demonstrators. He helped organize protests, participated in negotiations, and acted as a spokesperson for the movement.
However, his visibility made him a target for critics. Some Jewish groups accused him of contributing to an unsafe environment for Jewish students. A Columbia task force later found that Jewish and Israeli students had faced verbal abuse and exclusion during the protests.
Khalil, however, insists that his activism was focused on anti-war efforts, not antisemitism. Many of his supporters, including Jewish students, argue that his arrest is an attack on free speech.
Trump Administration’s Response
The Trump administration has defended Khalil’s arrest as part of a broader effort to remove foreign students accused of making campuses hostile for Jewish students. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed Khalil distributed “pro-Hamas propaganda” and led protests that disrupted college life.
Khalil’s supporters strongly disagree with these claims, arguing that he is being unfairly targeted because of his Palestinian identity and his role in the protests.
Facing Deportation and a Family Crisis
Khalil, who is married to an American citizen, is currently being held in a federal detention center in Louisiana. His lawyers say he was scheduled to receive his master’s degree in May. Adding to his personal struggles, his wife is eight months pregnant. She has pleaded for his release, saying she needs him by her side for the birth of their child.
Conclusion
Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest has sparked controversy, with some seeing it as a justified crackdown and others calling it an attack on free speech. As legal battles continue, his fate remains uncertain, and his family awaits the next steps in his case.
