“Targeting and threatening peaceful protesters and their immigration status for the content of their protest, such as advocating for the human rights of Palestinians, is a violation of human rights."
Paul O’Brien, AIUSA’s Executive Director
Mahmoud Khalil is a U.S. lawful permanent resident who was arrested and detained by immigration authorities for exercising his freedom of speech in support of Palestinian rights and against the ongoing genocide in the occupied Gaza Strip. Send a message to Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, and call for his immediate release.
On March 8, 2025, U.S. immigration authorities unlawfully arrested and arbitrarily detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and student organizer who recently graduated from Columbia University in the USA.
He is a lawful permanent resident in the USA. Mahmoud was targeted for his role in student protests at Columbia University, where he was exercising his rights to freedom of expression and peacefully assembly in support of Palestinian rights. He has not been charged with a crime.
Mahmoud is being held in a detention center and authorities have informed him that they have “revoked” his permanent residency status and placed him in deportation proceedings. On April 11, the court ruled that deportation proceedings could continue.
Call on U.S. authorities to release Mahmoud immediately and respect his rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and due process.