Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University studying international affairs, became a key figure in the pro-Palestinian protests that took place on campus in the spring of 2024. As a spokesperson and negotiator for the demonstrators, Khalil played a major role in advocating against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The protesters demanded that Columbia cut its financial ties with Israel and companies supporting the war.
Arrest and Controversy
Khalil’s activism made him a well-known figure, but it also placed him in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. In what has been described as the first public arrest in a government crackdown, federal immigration agents detained Khalil at his apartment on Saturday, holding him for potential deportation.
The Trump administration claims that the move is part of a broader effort to address antisemitic and “anti-American” campus protests. However, Khalil’s supporters argue that his detention is an attack on free speech and an attempt to silence pro-Palestinian voices.
A Background in Diplomacy
Khalil, 30, has extensive experience in diplomatic and educational work. Before coming to Columbia, he worked for the U.K.’s embassy for Syria in Beirut from 2018 to 2022. His role involved running a scholarship fund and assisting with the U.K.’s diplomatic engagement with Syria. A former colleague, Andrew Waller, a British diplomat, described Khalil as intelligent, thoughtful, and conscientious. He noted that Khalil’s job required a thorough background check.
Originally from Syria, Khalil had planned to study aviation engineering, but his future was disrupted by the country’s civil war. He moved to Beirut, worked with an educational nonprofit, and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science at a Lebanese university before pursuing graduate studies at Columbia.
Campus Activism and Its Consequences
During the Columbia protests, Khalil acted as a mediator for pro-Palestinian activists and Muslim students. However, his involvement in the demonstrations, where he appeared without a mask and openly engaged with reporters, made him a target for critics. Some organizations, such as the Columbia Jewish Alumni Association, labeled him a “ringleader of the chaos.”
Columbia University’s disciplinary committee has also investigated him for alleged violations, including accusations of harassment for referring to a university dean as “genocidal.”
The Trump Administration’s Justification
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Khalil’s arrest, stating that he had organized protests that disrupted college campuses, harassed Jewish students, and distributed pro-Hamas propaganda. The U.S. government has officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Khalil’s supporters dispute these claims, arguing that he is being unfairly targeted. Columbia senior Maryan Alwan described him as mild-mannered and skilled at resolving disputes among student protesters. Outside activism, Khalil participated in Columbia’s Arab Music Ensemble and had a passion for cooking and drumming.
Personal Impact and Uncertain Future
Khalil completed his master’s program in December and was set to receive his degree in May. His personal life is also in turmoil—his wife, an American citizen, is eight months pregnant with their first child. In a public statement, she pleaded for Khalil’s release, expressing her hope that he would be present for their child’s birth.
As legal proceedings unfold, Khalil’s case has sparked national debate about free speech, student activism, and immigration policy in the United States.
