Mahmoud Khalil on his detention by ICE and the struggle in Palestine : NPR

Key Points:

• Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student with legal U.S. status, was detained by ICE in March 2025 despite no criminal record, following his prominent role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked a rarely used provision to order Khalil's deportation, citing his presence as allegedly creating a hostile environment for Jewish students, though evidence was minimal.
• Khalil spent 104 days in a rural Louisiana detention center under harsh conditions, during which time his wife gave birth, forcing him to hear the birth over the phone.
• In September 2026, Khalil sued Columbia University for failing to protect Palestinian students from harassment and retaliating against those who reported it; the university affirmed its commitment to a safe campus environment.
• Despite his ordeal, Khalil remains committed to fighting his deportation, emphasizing his belief in the rule of law and rejecting accusations that he is violent or anti-American.