Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over years of alleged anti-Palestinian discrimination

Key Points:

• Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-descended US green card holder and former Columbia graduate student, has sued Columbia University alleging years of anti-Palestinian discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by the university administration.
• Khalil was arrested by federal immigration agents in March 2025 amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian advocates and has since filed multiple lawsuits against the administration and pro-Israel groups for targeting him.
• The 60-page complaint accuses Columbia, its board, and SIPA’s dean of ignoring persistent harassment of pro-Palestinian students and retaliating against them, including suspending the Palestine Working Group on campus.
• Columbia declined to comment on the lawsuit but stated its commitment to preventing discrimination and harassment, while students and plaintiffs argue the university failed to protect them despite repeated pleas for help.
• Khalil and other plaintiffs seek equal protections under the law for pro-Palestinian students and warn of further legal action against individuals at Columbia responsible for the hostile environment.