Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Speaks Out from Immigration Detention: 'I Am a Political Prisoner'
In a striking statement from a Louisiana immigration detention center, Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and recent Columbia University graduate, has condemned the treatment of detained migrants in the United States. Khalil, who has been in custody for over a week, was arrested by U.S. immigration authorities as part of a crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism.
Khalil, who has permanent resident status (commonly known as a green card), asserts that his detention is politically motivated, framing himself as a "political prisoner" in a letter shared exclusively with The Guardian. "I write to you from Louisiana in a detention center where I wake up in the cold morning and spend long days witnessing the silent injustices being committed against many people who are not protected by the law," he stated.
On March 8, 2025, Khalil was taken into custody by federal authorities in New York. They cited a State Department order to revoke his residency, linking his detention to his participation in pro-Palestinian protests on campus earlier that spring. Khalil believes that the Trump administration is targeting him as part of a larger effort to suppress dissent against U.S. foreign policy, stating, "Those with visas, those with green cards, and also citizens will all be in the crosshairs for their political ideas."
In his statements, expressed through dictated messages to family and friends, Khalil criticized not only his own treatment in detention but also the broader U.S. immigration policy. He pointed to the ongoing bombings in Gaza and how Columbia University has capitulated to government pressures that punish students for their activism.
"My detention has been a direct consequence of exercising my right to freedom of expression, advocating for a free Palestine, and calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza," he declared, highlighting the plight of Gazan families caught in a cycle of violence and displacement. Khalil's description of his arrest, which occurred in front of his pregnant wife, Noor, adds a personal dimension to his activism, emphasizing the human costs of such immigration policies.
Khalil recounted being taken to an ICE facility, where conditions were dire: "On the first night of my detention, I was forced to sleep on the floor without a blanket." He called attention to the injustices faced by fellow detainees, sharing stories of individuals locked in legal limbo or threatened with deportation without due process.
The activist made parallels between his current situation in U.S. detention and the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli government, expressing solidarity with those who endure incarceration without trial or charges. Drawing upon his own background as a Palestinian born in a refugee camp in Syria, Khalil underscored the shared experiences of oppression.
Protests have erupted in response to Khalil's arrest, with advocates decrying the government's actions as violations of freedom of expression. His legal team is fighting vigorously to reverse his detention, arguing that it infringes upon his constitutional rights, including freedom of speech. A federal judge has temporarily halted his deportation as the appeal process unfolds.
During his presidency, Donald Trump has repeatedly targeted foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian activism, branding their protests as supportive of terrorism. Khalil's situation is viewed by many as a potential harbinger of broader crackdowns on dissent and activism in the United States.
As Khalil faces the threat of deportation under a controversial legal provision pertaining to immigration, experts note the implications of his case extend far beyond one individual. "What happens to my client will resonate beyond his case," stated Diala Shamas, an attorney involved in his defense. Khalil himself remarked, "It is not only about freeing myself from the oppressor but also freeing my oppressors from their hatred and fear."
In his broader critique, Khalil pointed fingers at Columbia University for enabling environments of targeting and hostility against pro-Palestinian students, contributing to an atmosphere where activism could be met with legal repercussions.
In closing, Khalil's poignant words reflect a call to action: "Students activists and elected officials must unite in the coming weeks to defend the right to protest for Palestine. It is not only our voices that are at stake but the fundamental civil rights of all." His hope is to gain freedom not just for himself but to show a path forward for all who strive for justice.
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