Mahmoud Khalil — a Syrian-born Palestinian activist who became the face of anti-Israel demonstrations that rocked Columbia University’s campus throughout 2024 — is suing the Trump administration for $20 million for his arrest and months-long detention by federal immigration authorities, according to the Associated Press (AP). “He ‘branded’ himself as antisemite through his own hateful behavior and rhetoric,” McLaughlin said, adding that it’s a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the U.S. “The Trump Administration acted well within its statutory and constitutional authority to detain Khalil, as it does with any alien who advocates for violence, glorifies and supports terrorists, harasses Jews, and damages property.” Khalil — a graduate student living in the country on a non-immigrant student visa at the time of these events — positioned himself early on as the protest movement’s leader, speaking to media outlets and serving as an intermediary between Columbia and the demands of campus activists.
Author: Daily Caller News Foundation
Published at: 2025-07-13 19:48:04
Still want to read the full version? Full article
