Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University protest leader who has faced deportation threats from President Donald Trump, recently met with lawmakers in Washington, DC, to advocate for the Palestinian cause.
The 30-year-old, who is a legal permanent resident of the United States, made this visit just over a month after being released from immigration custody in Louisiana.
In a video interview with Reuters, Khalil stated, “I’m here in Washington, DC, today to meet with lawmakers, with members of Congress, to demand the end of the US-funded genocide in Gaza, and also to demand accountability from Columbia University, from the Trump administration for their retaliation against my speech.”
Khalil emphasized his commitment to the Palestinian advocacy, asserting, “To be honest, I feel that this is my duty to continue advocating for Palestinians. This is what the Trump administration tried to do. They tried to silence me. But I’m here to say that we will continue to resist. We are not backing down.”
The Trump administration has initiated deportation proceedings against Khalil, utilizing a little-known provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. This provision allows for the expulsion of foreign nationals if their presence is considered to potentially have serious adverse consequences for U.S. foreign policy, although the criteria for such determinations remain vague.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and immigration officials have accused Khalil of promoting anti-Jewish sentiments and supporting Hamas; however, they have not substantiated these claims with evidence.
Khalil’s legal team, representing him and three other students similarly targeted by the Trump administration—Mohsen Mahdawi, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Badar Khan Suri—contend that these actions infringe on their constitutionally protected right to free speech.
Several district judges have supported this argument, leading to the students’ release from custody while their cases advance through immigration court.
Earlier in the month, Khalil, who missed the birth of his son while detained, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for alleged malicious prosecution, false arrest, and false imprisonment. He is seeking $20 million in damages or a formal apology from the government.
Among the lawmakers who met with Khalil during his visit was U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who emphasized the importance of protecting the First Amendment and freedom to dissent in a post on the social media platform X, sharing a photo taken together with Khalil.
Khalil also engaged with Congress members Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Jim McGovern, Troy Carter, and Summer Lee, highlighting the broad support he received on Capitol Hill.
Pressley commented positively on their meeting, describing Khalil as “a kind, gentle soul who cares deeply about others’ humanity,” while condemning the actions taken against him by the Trump Administration as egregious.
In a statement on social media, the Department of Homeland Security labeled Khalil a “terrorist sympathizer,” accusing him of engaging in anti-Jewish conduct and rhetoric.
However, prior to Khalil’s release, Judge Michael Farbiarz had criticized the administration’s attorneys, stating they had not provided sufficient evidence for the claims against Khalil. He expressed concern over the potential damage to Khalil’s reputation and the chilling effect on his speech, which he noted could lead to irreparable harm.
image source from：aljazeera
