Wed Mar 19 07:31:26 UTC 2025: ## Columbia University Student Activist Detained, Claims Political Persecution
**New Orleans, LA** – Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist, has penned a letter from a Louisiana detention facility, claiming his arrest by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents is politically motivated. Khalil, a lawful permanent US resident, was taken into custody on March 8th without a warrant, shortly after returning home with his pregnant American wife, Noor Abdalla.
In his letter, released publicly Tuesday, Khalil describes himself as a “political prisoner,” citing harsh detention conditions and a lack of transparency surrounding his arrest. He alleges DHS agents refused to disclose the reason for his detention and threatened his wife for not leaving his side. His lawyer, Amy Greer, confirmed that Khalil’s status as a green card holder makes his threatened deportation highly unusual.
The Trump administration accuses Khalil of involvement in activities aligned with Hamas, based on his participation in large pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University in April 2024. These protests, which garnered significant media attention, followed widespread student activism condemning university complicity in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, no evidence supporting the administration’s claims of Hamas ties or “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity” has been presented.
Khalil maintains his arrest is a direct consequence of his advocacy for Palestinian rights and an end to violence in Gaza. He draws parallels between his situation and Israel’s use of administrative detention against Palestinians, emphasizing the importance of continued activism despite the risk. He concludes his letter with a plea for freedom, expressing his hope to witness the birth of his child. The case has sparked outrage among student activists and human rights advocates who are calling for Khalil’s immediate release.
First Piper 