The complaint, currently filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act - a procedural precursor to a full lawsuit - alleges that Khalil was arrested on March 8 and spent over 100 days in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention. His attorney asserts that Khalil's arrest was part of a broader political campaign targeting students involved in pro-Palestinian protests.

Khalil played a leading role in the 2024 spring protests at Columbia University, negotiating with university leadership and serving as a spokesperson for the student demonstrators. He was among the first arrested in what he described as a government effort to silence Palestinian voices under the guise of combating antisemitism.

According to the claim, Khalil missed the birth of his son and his Columbia graduation due to his detention, during which he suffered from malnutrition, sleep deprivation, and significant weight loss. He also cited fear for his and his family's safety after senior administration officials publicly accused him of supporting terrorism and antisemitism.

Khalil said he would use the compensation to establish a support fund for other students allegedly harmed by similar policies. Alternatively, he said he would settle for an official apology and a reversal of policies he views as persecuting students for their political beliefs.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson dismissed the claim as "ridiculous," insisting the government acted within its legal authority. A senior State Department official added that the measures taken against Khalil were "lawful, necessary, and based on facts."

In a recent development, a federal judge in New Jersey issued a temporary injunction halting Khalil's deportation, ruling that the rare use of a foreign policy clause to justify his removal likely violated his Fifth Amendment rights. Khalil has since been released from detention in Louisiana.

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Two days after a judge ordered that migrant Mahmoud Khalil be released, he is already back on the streets in NYC, accompanied now by private security. Khalil was a main organizer for the violent pro-Palestine occupations and disruptions at Columbia. pic.twitter.com/PGPyVCcq73

— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 23, 2025

 Khalil, 30, a graduate of Columbia University, was a prominent figure in anti-Israeli student protests. He was not charged with criminal offenses, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked an old law against him, claiming he acted against American foreign policy. According to Khalil, he was taken without a warrant, without being told where he was being transferred, and spent time in a Louisiana detention facility with dozens of other detainees.

Khalil said it reminded him of the way government agents in Syria operated outside the law. "That's literally what made me flee," said Khalil, who was born in a refugee camp in Damascus. "It was very ironic. I literally laughed. What did I do that I'm a foreign policy threat to the United States? Did I damage the US-Israeli relationship? Because it doesn't appear so."

During his detention, he missed his son's birth. "I know how much Noor wanted me to be next to her while delivering the baby. Nothing in this world would compensate me for the time I lost with my family and witnessing the birth of my child," he said.

The White House claims he is someone who supported Hamas and endangered Jewish students. According to officials, the arrest was "not about free speech." The accusations have not been proven in court. The Department of Homeland Security even called on him to "self-deport" and coordinate his deportation through an app.

Khalil continues to maintain his innocence and says Donald Trump only strengthened the Palestinian struggle. If Trump's goal had been to suppress pro-Palestinian speech, he had "absolutely failed. If anything, it's actually reinforced my belief that what we're doing is right."

In the interview, where he also tells his life story, he expressed deep disappointment with the US judicial system. "If you have money, there is rule of law. If you are abiding by the very narrow definition of what this administration is defining an American value to be, you may get rule of law. Otherwise you have to fight tooth and nail to get your due process and your rights."

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The Trump administration has abruptly withdrawn $400 million (1.4 billion shekel) in federal funding from Columbia University, The New York Times reported, signaling that at least nine other campuses could face similar consequences. This dramatic move is part of an escalating government approach toward universities that allegedly failed to protect Jewish students and faculty during campus protests.

The targeted institutions appear on an official administration list compiled by the Department of Justice, comprising both public universities and Ivy League schools. Faculty leadership at many of these institutions have strongly contested characterizations of their campuses as centers of antisemitism, pointing out that while some Jewish students reported feeling unsafe, most protesters demonstrated peacefully, with many participants being Jewish themselves.

The Trump administration has prioritized confronting higher education institutions. President Donald Trump recently threatened via social media to penalize any school permitting "illegal" protests. On January 30, just ten days after taking office, he signed an executive order focused on combating antisemitism, specifically targeting what he described as "anti-Jewish racism at 'leftists' universities."

On February 3, Trump established a multiagency task force to implement this mandate. The group appeared to act swiftly following a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Barnard College – a Columbia University partner school – on February 26. Two days later, the administration published its list of ten schools under investigation, including Columbia, which had been the site of significant pro-Palestinian encampments last year.

Federal officials indicated they would visit these institutions as part of a review process to determine "whether remedial action is warranted." By Friday, the administration announced the cancellation of millions in grants and contracts with Columbia University.

The move represents a significant escalation in the federal government's approach to campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Critics have questioned whether such financial penalties might infringe on academic freedom and First Amendment rights, while supporters argue stronger measures are necessary to ensure Jewish students feel safe on campus.

University administrators across the country are now reportedly reviewing their policies regarding campus demonstrations, concerned that similar federal funding cuts could dramatically impact their operations and research programs.

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More than 200 pro-Palestinian protesters from Columbia University demonstrated Wednesday night against the arrival of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who was speaking at an event on campus. The protesters wore keffiyehs and demonstrated near the venue where Bennett delivered his remarks. Columbia University has been known for its anti-Israel criticism since October 7.

Activists mobilized in front of Columbia University in New York to protest against hosting the former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett. pic.twitter.com/d4Ni4UfvaD

— Kuffiya (@Kuffiyateam) March 5, 2025

 "The decision to host someone with such a violent and discriminatory record sends a message that the university prefers certain voices over others," said a spokesperson for one of the organizations that arranged the protest. A pro-Israel demonstration was also held at the location, with police separating the sides while preventing protesters from entering the hall where Bennett was speaking.

The demonstration was held concurrently with President Donald Trump's address to Congress. On Monday, the administration threatened to cancel a contract worth more than $50 million with the university due to failure to protect Jewish students during waves of protests on campus.

Yesterday, the president announced that "All federal funding will be cut to any college, school or university that allows illegal protests." He added, "All inciters will be jailed or permanently sent to the country they came from. American students will be permanently expelled, or, depending on the crime, arrested."

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Columbia University Apartheid Divest, an unsanctioned student group, planned a "Martyrs Day" protest in rejection of Veterans Day, according to Fox News.

"We stand here to honor all our martyrs. Those who resisted, whether violently or non-violently." — masked students @Columbia protesting against Veterans Day on campus.

Really really sad, reprehensible behavior. pic.twitter.com/r2Ugybyztc

— Elisha (Lishi) Baker (@LishiBaker) November 11, 2024

"Veterans Day is an American holiday to honor the patriotism, love of country, and sacrifice of veterans. We reject this holiday and refuse to celebrate it," the group's flyer stated, "The American war machine should not be honored for the horrors unleashed on others. Instead, we will celebrate Martyrs Day in honor of those martyred by the Israel-US war machine."

JOIN US TODAY at 12 PM at the sundial on Columbia's campus to honor the martyrs and call for an end to the genocide and occupation. pic.twitter.com/UibrLsqt4K

— Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (@ColumbiaSJP) November 11, 2024

In response, about 30 Columbia students and student veterans gathered at the campus sundial, planting American flags at the location where a controversial "Martyrs Day" demonstration had been scheduled. The veterans' group maintained a festive atmosphere, tossing a football and playing music, while a small group of protesters gathered across the quad in front of the library.

Celebrating Veterans Day with Columbia military vets.

We solute those who served

Happy Veterans Day! pic.twitter.com/5loUH6gUKS

— David lederer (@Davidlederer6) November 11, 2024

 "The main goal was to take oxygen away from it and focus on the veterans who are celebrating Veterans Day at the Veterans Day Parade," Sam Nahins, 31, an Air Force veteran and Columbia graduate student, told the New York Post. "A lot of non-veteran students wanted to join in on this. It's just about thanking the people who are showing up and just having a good demonstration."

Nahins described how he and fellow veterans maintained their composure during previous confrontations on campus. "We weren't provoking anyone. We weren't insulting. We had faculty members give us the middle finger. We had students with keffiyehs on their faces trying to intimidate us. But we kept our composure," he said.

Veterans Day at Columbia

Video 1: Jewish students celebrating our freedoms as Americans and honoring those who served to protect our rights.

Video 2: pro-Palestinian students protesting Veterans Day, negating those values, and honoring terrorists

Who's side are you on
pic.twitter.com/gavN7pYkfL

— David lederer (@Davidlederer6) November 11, 2024

The university had prepared for potential confrontation by setting up fence dividers between the groups and deploying additional security personnel. "The University honors its veterans on Veterans Day and every day, and we are proud to be participating in the New York Veterans Day Parade tomorrow, as we have for more than a decade," the university said in a statement. "We are aware that a small group has called for a demonstration today, and our public safety team is monitoring for any disruptions to campus activity."

"Wonder if these activists at @Columbia realize that veterans won and preserved their right to protest?" Craig Bruce Smith, an associate professor at National Defense University, wrote on X.

The campus now requires school ID for entry, a measure implemented after last year's protests, which had drawn significant numbers of outside demonstrators. Those earlier demonstrations had led to the resignation of university president Minouche Shafik.

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As Columbia University students returned for the fall semester, they were greeted by renewed protests and heightened security measures outside the iconic New York City campus, according to reporting by the BBC.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered at the school gates on Tuesday, the first day of classes, chanting "Free Palestine" and banging drums as they marched in circles. Many protesters wore traditional keffiyeh scarves covering their faces.

The scene was reminiscent of last semester's large-scale demonstrations against Israel's anti-terrorism operation in Gaza, which saw some of the most intense campus protests in the US.

Inside the campus, the Alma Mater statue outside Low Memorial Library was doused with red paint. CBS News, the BBC's US partner, reported that the area was cordoned off as crews worked to clean the statue.

Police reported at least two arrests on Tuesday but described the gatherings as "peaceful" overall.

Students and staff queued to have their identification thoroughly checked before entering campus, while protesters and onlookers were separated by metal barricades.

Many students appeared unfazed by the demonstrations. Stephanie Lee, a 28-year-old graduate student studying business, said she expected protests but felt "OK" on her first day. "Security is pretty good," she added.

Rachel Black, a freshman from North Carolina, viewed the protests as part of her educational experience at Columbia. "I'm interested in becoming more educated," she said. "I'm hoping to learn what the conflict [is] about."

The university's previous academic year ended tumultuously, with New York Police Department raids on a pro-Palestinian encampment and the brief occupation of an academic building, resulting in over 100 arrests. The main graduation ceremony was canceled, and students departed for summer break amid an atmosphere of unease.

Last month, Columbia president Minouche Shafik, who had authorized the police raid on the encampment, resigned from her position.

David Lederer, a 22-year-old junior, held a small counter-protest with a fellow Jewish student outside the university gates. They displayed a large banner reading "Get Support for Terrorism Off Our Campus" and a photo of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American hostage whose body was recently recovered in Gaza.

Lederer expressed concerns shared by some pro-Israel Jewish students about antisemitism on campus, stating, "To be anti-war is one thing, but to be pro a terrorist organization is another, and that has no place at Columbia."

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Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned after a tumultuous year marked by persistent and often violent anti-Israel demonstrations. Shafik's exit comes just days after three university deans stepped down following the exposure of an email chain that dismissed concerns from Israeli and Jewish students about rising antisemitism on campus.

"This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in the community," Shafik stated in an email to faculty and students. "Upon reflection over the summer, I have concluded that my departure at this juncture would best position Columbia to address the challenges ahead."

The university has appointed Katrina Armstrong, CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, as interim president.

In response to Shafik's resignation, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters celebrated in the streets of New York. Demonstrators also disrupted a Democratic Party event supporting Kamala Harris, causing disturbances. Protesters deployed a smoke grenade, necessitating police intervention and resulting in numerous arrests.

The pro-Palestinian demonstrations that erupted at Columbia in May 2023 sparked similar actions across US and European universities. Protesters established encampments on Columbia's campus, with some calling for another intifada, voicing support for the Hamas terrorist organization, and using antisemitic rhetoric.

In April, Shafik had urged protesters to voluntarily dismantle their campus encampments, acknowledging that the demonstrations had fostered an "unwelcoming environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty." She partly attributed the "hostile environment" to "external factors."

House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned Shafik's handling of the situation, "President Shafik's refusal to protect Jewish students and maintain order on campus transformed Columbia University into the epicenter of virulent antisemitism that has plagued many American university campuses since Hamas' barbaric attack on Israel last fall... We hope that President Shafik's resignation serves as a warning to university administrators nationwide that tolerating or shielding antisemites is unacceptable and will have consequences."

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Columbia University has removed three administrators from their positions after they exchanged text messages that "disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes" during a forum about Jewish issues in May, according to a letter sent to the university community on Monday, The New York Times reported on Monday.

The administrators, while still employed by the university, have been placed on indefinite leave and will not return to their previous roles. Columbia President Nemat Shafik described the sentiments in the text messages as "unacceptable and deeply upsetting," stating they conveyed "a lack of seriousness about the concerns and the experiences of members of our Jewish community."

"The three staff members involved have been permanently removed from their positions at Columbia College and remain on leave at this time. Experienced staff in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering, as well as other University partners, will step up to support the College's operations in the near term while efforts proceed to rebuild the administrative and student life infrastructure for the future," Shafik said in a public letter.

The decision comes about a month after a conservative website published photos of some of the text messages sent by the administrators. It follows weeks of unrest at Columbia over the war in Gaza, with the university emerging as the center of a nationwide protest movement.

The three administrators involved in the text message exchanges are Cristen Kromm, formerly the dean of undergraduate student life; Matthew Patashnick, formerly the associate dean for student and family support; and Susan Chang-Kim, formerly the vice dean and chief administrative officer.

Josef Sorett, the dean of Columbia College, who also engaged in the text exchange, will remain in his post. University Provost Angela V. Olinto stated, "Dean Sorett and I will work together to mend relationships, repair trust, and rebuild accountability."

The decision to keep Dr. Sorett in his position has angered some alumni and community members. More than 1,000 individuals, including hedge fund investor Dan Loeb, have signed a petition demanding his removal as dean.

The incident, referred to by some Columbia alumni as "Textgate," occurred during a panel discussion titled "Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future" on May 31. The panel was held in the aftermath of student protests and congressional hearings addressing antisemitism on college campuses.

During the panel, the administrators exchanged text messages that were photographed by a person sitting behind Ms. Chang-Kim. The images were subsequently shared with The Washington Free Beacon, which published an article about them.

Some of the controversial messages included Dr. Patashnick texting that one panelist was "taking full advantage of this moment" with "huge fundraising potential." Ms. Kromm responded with two vomit emojis to a reference about an essay discussing the "community's normalization of Hamas."

In response to the incident, Columbia announced that beginning this fall, students, faculty, and staff will undergo required anti-discrimination training that will include a focus on antisemitism.

The sanctions against the college administrators have drawn attention from lawmakers in Washington. Virginia Foxx, a Republican representative from North Carolina who chairs the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, demanded that Columbia share the texts with the committee.

Jonathan Sobel, a recent chairman for the Columbia College Fund who signed the petition calling for Dr. Sorett's removal, told XXXXXXXX, "I was saddened by the texts but not surprised. For months, many of us had suspected that antisemitism at Columbia was widespread, accepted and existed at or near the highest levels."

The university's decision to remove the administrators while retaining Dr. Sorett highlights the ongoing challenges faced by educational institutions in addressing issues of antisemitism and maintaining a respectful campus environment.

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Three associate deans at Columbia University have been placed on administrative leave following the exposure of a series of disparaging text messages exchanged during a panel discussion on antisemitism at a recent alumni event. The incident has raised concerns about the attitudes of university leadership towards issues affecting Jewish students on campus.

The text exchange, which occurred on May 31, involved Josef Sorett, Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick, and Cristen Kromm, all of whom hold administrative positions at the Ivy League institution. Their messages were captured by an alumnus in attendance at the two-hour panel, which addressed the impact of rising antisemitism on Jewish students and faculty in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In an email to Columbia's Board of Visitors, Sorett apologized for the "harm" caused by the messages, insisting they do not "indicate the views of any individual or the team." He also expressed concern about the "invasion of privacy" resulting from the public disclosure of the group chat contents.

The panel featured speakers such as former Columbia Law School dean David Schizer, who co-chairs the university's antisemitism task force, as well as Brian Cohen, executive director of Columbia's Kraft Center for Jewish Life, and Ian Rottenberg, the university's dean of religious life. Student Rebecca Massel, who had covered anti-Israel campus protests for the student newspaper, also participated.

The good news is Columbia heard us and took some action due to our letters from last Tuesday. (What does administrative leave mean anyway?)

The *FOUR* deans should have been immediately *FIRED*. *Let's let Columbia know we mean business with this follow up letter.*… pic.twitter.com/D8PG2SozBY

— Matthew Feinberg (@thewebbie) June 23, 2024

 As panelists shared their assessments of the challenging climate faced by Jewish students since October 7, the Columbia leaders exchanged messages that were described as mocking and dismissive. In one instance, Kromm, the dean of undergraduate student life, used queasy and vomiting emojis in reference to an October 2023 op-ed titled "Sounding the alarm," written by campus rabbi Yonah Hain.

Patashnick, Columbia's associate dean for student and family support, suggested that an unnamed panel member was exploiting the situation, writing, "He knows exactly what he's doing and how to take full advantage of this moment. Huge fundraising potential." Chang-Kim, vice dean and chief administrative officer of Columbia University responded with "Double urgh."

A Columbia University spokesperson stated, "We are committed to combatting antisemitism and taking sustained, concrete action to ensure Columbia is a campus where Jewish students and everyone in our community feels safe, valued, and able to thrive."

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Columbia University is again facing scrutiny over allegations of antisemitism and discrimination against Jewish students on campus, according to a report by Haaretz.

The Columbia Task Force on Antisemitism, established in the wake of the October 7 Hamas massacre and subsequent war in Gaza, has documented hundreds of testimonies detailing incidents of harassment, intimidation, and exclusion experienced by Jewish students. These accounts were gathered through over 20 listening sessions attended by approximately 500 students, as well as written appeals submitted to the task force.

Some of the disturbing incidents reported include professors asking students with Jewish-sounding last names to explain their views on the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. One professor is quoted as telling their class to "avoid reading mainstream media, declaring that 'it is owned by Jews.'" Another professor allegedly revealed a student's complaint about an offensive comment regarding Jews by publicly displaying their email to fellow students.

Columbia University Task Force on Antisemitism: "One professor encountering a Jewish-sounding surname while reading names before an exam asked the student to explain their views on the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. Another told their class to avoid reading mainstream…

— Yair Rosenberg (@Yair_Rosenberg) June 16, 2024

 The report also highlights instances of professors encouraging students to participate in pro-Palestinian protests or the Gaza Solidarity Encampment for extra credit, or even conducting classes at protest sites. Jewish students wearing religious symbols reported having them torn from their person, while others were reportedly kicked out of student clubs for not wanting to participate in group actions and statements against Israel's right to exist.

The task force's findings are set to be published in the coming weeks in a new report focusing specifically on the experiences of Jewish students at Columbia University.

Meanwhile, Harvard Dean of Social Science Lawrence Bobo published an article in The Harvard Crimson titled, "Faculty speech must have limits." In the op-ed, Bobo writes that although freedom of speech is important, faculty should not bring to light incidents that will attract external attention and backlash.

This op-ed arguing that the freedom of speech shouldn't extend to faculty who denounce university leadership purports to be from the Dean of Social Science at Harvard but it is surely satire. https://t.co/Wwb3RkdPL8 pic.twitter.com/tdVudkvMW9

— Jameel Jaffer (@JameelJaffer) June 16, 2024

"Vigorous debate is to be expected and encouraged at any university interested in promoting freedom of expression. But here is the rub: As the events of the past year evidence, sharply critical speech from faculty, prominent ones especially, can attract outside attention that directly impedes the University's function," he wrote. "A faculty member's right to free speech does not amount to a blank check to engage in behaviors that plainly incite external actors – be it the media, alumni, donors, federal agencies, or the government – to intervene in Harvard's affairs."

https://t.co/kWxMnX9CEX

— Orin Kerr (@OrinKerr) June 16, 2024

 He also discussed the proper and improper way to conduct a protest, citing successful examples of "heroic actions of college students who burned draft cards in protest of the Vietnam War, registered black voters in Mississippi or Alabama, sat in at segregated lunch counters, or joined marches for women's liberation and gay rights." He urges the university to sanction "professors or administrators who encourage and advocate for such actions [improper protests]."

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