Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil announced Monday that he has filed a civil lawsuit against the Ivy League school. Khalil, who organized multiple pro‑Palestine demonstrations while studying at Columbia, claims the university created a hostile environment for students perceived as Muslim, Arab, non‑citizen or immigrant.
Allegations of discrimination and retaliation
The complaint asserts that Columbia “fostered an environment of hostility towards students holding pro‑Palestine views, who were perceived as being Muslims, Arabs, non‑citizens, and/or immigrants, and others for their association with those students.” Khalil alleges the university’s surveillance and disciplinary actions targeted him, his colleague Mohammad Ibrahim Zubairi, and other members of the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) Palestine Working Group.
According to the filing, Columbia’s alleged “deliberate indifference” to repeated harassment “directly led” to Khalil’s detention and attempted deportation in 2025 by the Trump administration. Khalil’s attorneys say ICE officials revoked his green card and held him for 104 days in a Louisiana detention center before a federal judge in New Jersey ordered his release.
Legal setbacks and ongoing claims
After his release, a U.S. appeals panel ruled 2‑1 that the New Jersey judge had overstepped his authority, sending the case back to the immigration court system. In July, Khalil filed a second lawsuit alleging that members of the Trump administration conspired with private pro‑Israel groups—including the Heritage Foundation, Canary Mission and Betar—to arrest and deport activists in violation of the Ku Klux Klan Act, a Reconstruction‑era civil‑rights statute.
The suit describes the alleged conspirators’ actions as motivated by an unlawful purpose to “terrorize and make an example” of Khalil and other non‑citizen Palestinians or supporters, seeking to silence the growing movement for Palestinian rights.
University response
When contacted, a Columbia University spokesperson declined to comment on the pending litigation, reiterating the school’s stated commitment to a campus environment where every community member feels welcome, supported and safe. “Creating a campus environment where every member of our community feels welcome, supported, and safe is fundamental to who we are as a University,” the spokesperson said.
Columbia added that it takes allegations of discrimination seriously and is “committed to protecting our community from discrimination and harassment, and responding promptly and appropriately when concerns arise.”
Context and implications
The lawsuit arrives amid heightened national debate over campus free‑speech rights, immigration enforcement, and the role of private advocacy groups in influencing federal policy. While the Trump administration has since ended, its immigration actions remain a focal point for critics who argue the policies were overly aggressive toward non‑citizen activists.
Legal experts note that the outcome of Khalil’s case could set precedent for how universities handle alleged bias against students based on political viewpoint or perceived national origin, and whether federal immigration actions can be linked to alleged coordination with private interest groups.
Fox News Digital reached out to Khalil’s attorneys for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
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