Mahmoud Khalil fled Syria fearing persecution. Now the US wants to send him back
Published date: 22 August 2025 16:06 BST
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Last update: 2 months 2 weeks ago
“The existence of a Palestinian student or pro-Palestine students on campus is an issue for [Columbia].”
Mahmoud Khalil became the face of the US government’s crackdown on pro-Palestine protests across American campuses. A Columbia University graduate, he was one of the lead negotiators during Columbia’s Gaza solidarity encampments — a movement that quickly spread across universities worldwide.
When the US government arrested and detained him earlier this year, it drew national and international attention, as well as widespread condemnation. Mahmoud spent more than 100 days in an ICE detention centre in Louisiana, even missing the birth of his first son after authorities denied him temporary release.
Now, after being freed on bail by a federal judge in June, Mahmoud has reunited with his wife and newborn.
Mahmoud Khalil became the face of the US government’s crackdown on pro-Palestine protests across American campuses. A Columbia University graduate, he was one of the lead negotiators during Columbia’s Gaza solidarity encampments — a movement that quickly spread across universities worldwide.
When the US government arrested and detained him earlier this year, it drew national and international attention, as well as widespread condemnation. Mahmoud spent more than 100 days in an ICE detention centre in Louisiana, even missing the birth of his first son after authorities denied him temporary release.
Now, after being freed on bail by a federal judge in June, Mahmoud has reunited with his wife and newborn.
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