A Columbia University graduate student, Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by immigration authorities earlier this year despite living legally in the U.S. with a green card, has filed a $20 million legal claim against the Trump administration.
The claim accuses U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Homeland Security leadership, of “targeting” Khalil and violating his constitutional rights.
The legal action, filed by Khalil’s attorneys under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), seeks damages for false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and emotional distress.
The Incident and Legal Claims
Khalil, 30, was arrested on March 8, 2025, and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite his legal status as a green card holder.
His arrest occurred without a warrant, and he was allegedly handcuffed and shackled, then transported long distances—from New York to Louisiana—while being denied access to his attorney. The legal claim states that these actions were taken without proper legal authority and violated Khalil’s basic constitutional rights.
Khalil’s legal team accuses the Trump administration of retaliating against him for his political activities, particularly his role as an active campus protester. The administration allegedly singled him out for deportation, despite his legal status, under the claim that his actions were a “national security and public safety threat.”
Retaliation and Targeting of Khalil
The claim suggests that the Trump administration’s actions were part of a broader effort to target campus protesters and others who criticize the U.S. government.
Khalil’s lawyers argue that the actions of the U.S. government amounted to “unconstitutional retaliation” against Khalil for his exercise of constitutionally protected rights, such as his freedom of speech and protest.
According to the notice of claim, U.S. officials, including President Trump and Secretary Rubio, publicly boasted about their targeted actions against Khalil, describing his arrest as part of a campaign to remove protesters from the U.S.
The legal team further accuses the government of attempting to silence Khalil and others through deportation and other punitive measures.
The Legal Battle and ACLU Involvement
Khalil’s case has attracted attention from civil rights groups, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other co-counsel representing him in the legal battle.
They filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the government’s attempts to detain and deport him based on a second immigration charge related to alleged misrepresentations on his green card application. Khalil’s legal team argues that these charges are unconstitutional and violate his due process rights.
A government memo obtained by NBC News revealed that Khalil, as an active campus protester, was told by the Trump administration that his presence in the U.S. “would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” His lawyers argue that these claims are vague and unconstitutional, effectively stifling his freedom of speech.
Impact on Khalil’s Career and Reputation
Khalil’s lawyers contend that the government’s actions, including the wrongful arrest and detention, have severely impacted his career, particularly in international human rights work.
The public targeting and “character assassination” by U.S. officials, they argue, has made it nearly impossible for Khalil to continue his professional and academic endeavors in the human rights field.
The legal notice states that Khalil has suffered severe emotional distress, economic hardship, and damage to his reputation as a result of the government’s actions. His legal team is seeking significant compensation for these harms, aiming for a $20 million award to address the damages Khalil has experienced.
Moving Forward
Khalil’s legal team is pushing for a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, citing the abusive treatment he faced and the violations of his constitutional rights. They argue that the government’s conduct was unlawful and must be rectified through legal channels, seeking justice for the harm inflicted on Khalil.
