These 14 Democrats signed letter calling for Mahmoud Khalil's release
A group of 14 Democrats signed a Tuesday letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urging her to release Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate who has become a test case in President Trump's pledge to deport immigrants who joined campus protests against the Gaza war.
“Mahmoud Khalil must be freed from DHS custody immediately. He is a political prisoner, wrongfully and unlawfully detained, who deserves to be at home in New York preparing for the birth of his first child,” the lawmakers wrote.
Khalil is a green card holder who had a prominent role in Columbia's campus protests in support of Palestinians, and against Israel. He is currently being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a facility in Louisiana.
Democrats and even some on the right have called the arrest a violation of his First Amendment rights. The Trump administration is reportedly relying on a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that gives Secretary of State Marco Rubio sweeping power to expel foreigners.
“We will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported,” Rubio said Monday on the social platform X, sharing a news report about Khalil's arrest.
The Democratic lawmakers who signed on to the memo are: Reps. Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Mark Pocan (Wisc.), Nydia Velázquez (N.Y.), Delia Ramirez (Ill.), Ilhan Ohmar (Minn.), Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Summer Lee (Pa.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Lateefah Simon (Calif.), Gwen Moore (Wisc.), Nikema Williams (Ga.), Al Green (Texas), Andre Carson (Ind.) and James McGovern (Mass.).
“Universities throughout the country must protect their students from this vile assault on free thought and expression, and [DHS] must immediately refrain from any further illegal arrests targeting constitutionally protected speech and activity,” they wrote.
Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank, was censured for her remarks about the Israel-Hamas conflict in November of 2023.
In 2023, Omar, another signee, was removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee for denouncing the actions of Israel’s government.
The 14 lawmakers on Tuesday argued that Khalil’s constitutional rights have been violated.
“Khalil has not been allowed to see his counsel or his wife, and until the morning of March 10th his whereabouts were unknown. DHS initially informed them he was being held in Elizabeth, New Jersey, but his wife attempted to visit the facility on Sunday only to learn that he was not there,” the letter reads.
After filing a habeas corpus petition, it was discovered that Khalil was transferred to an ICE facility in central Louisiana.
The Democrats argue he was "targeted solely for his activism and organizing as a student leader" of the Gaza protest encampments last summer.
“This illegal political justification has been stated clearly by figures throughout the administration, including the president himself. We must be extremely clear: this is an attempt to criminalize political protest and is a direct assault on the freedom of speech of everyone in this country."
Prior to his arrest, the federal government revoked $400 million in grants to Columbia University citing concerns about antisemitism on campus. The Department of Education threatened similar financial penalties against other universities in the coming months.
-
House members demand release of Palestinian activist arrested at Columbia
Fourteen members of Congress have signed a letter demanding the release of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by ICE last week.ABC News - 7h -
Judge says Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil cannot be removed from U.S. as protesters call for his release
As hundreds of demonstrators rallied in New York City on Monday to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a federal judge just steps away blocked the Palestinian activist and Columbia University ...NBC News - 1d -
Wife details arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil as judge blocks deportation
The wife of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil said she and her husband were returning to their apartment after breaking their Ramadan fast when immigration agents confronted them and arrested ...NBC News - 17h -
Trump calls arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil ‘first of many to come’
President says in post his administration ‘will not tolerate’ actions of protesters at Columbia and other US universities. Donald Trump said on Monday that the arrest of a prominent Palestinian ...The Guardian - 1d -
This Is the Greatest Threat to Free Speech Since the Red Scare
Mahmoud Khalil’s detention is a frightening sign of an authoritarian slide.The New York Times - 1d -
Hearing for Columbia Student Mahmoud Khalil to Address Basic Constitutional Questions
The government is trying to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent resident and defender of the Palestinian cause, accusing him of siding with terrorists.The New York Times - 6h -
New Yorkers Protest as White House Defends Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia
Hundreds of demonstrators marched downtown while a spokeswoman for President Trump said the president had the authority to detain Mahmoud Khalil.The New York Times - 5h -
What to know about pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil's arrest
More protests are expected Tuesday over the Trump administration's attempt to deport pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. Khalil is accused of antisemitic activity for his role in helping lead ...CBS News - 13h -
Mahmoud Khalil Was Public Face of Protest Against Israel at Columbia
Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent resident of the United States, was arrested in his Manhattan apartment and sent to Louisiana. His detention sets up a fight over free speech.The New York Times - 1d
More from The Hill
-
Judge declines to block DOGE from taking over African development agency
A federal judge on Tuesday declined to block the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from taking over the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF). U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ...The Hill - 3h -
Lutnick says Trump tariffs 'worth it' even if they lead to recession
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Tuesday that President Trump’s tariff policies will be worth it, even if the economy ends up in a recession. In an interview that aired Tuesday, CBS News’s ...The Hill - 3h -
Democrat wins special election for Minnesota state House seat
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate David Gottfried is projected to win a special election for a seat in the Minnesota House, according to Decision Desk HQ. Gottfried, a pro bono ...The Hill - 3h -
GOP Rep. Mark Harris says Trump has done 'tremendous job' making case against Education Department
Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) said on Tuesday that President Trump successfully made the case against the Department of Education during his 2024 campaign, leading more Republicans to support the ...The Hill - 4h -
Sununu on possible Senate bid: 'I have not ruled it out completely'
Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he is considering running for Senate after previously rejecting the possibility. “I have not ruled it out completely, but folks in Washington have ...The Hill - 5h
More in Politics
-
Judge declines to block DOGE from taking over African development agency
A federal judge on Tuesday declined to block the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from taking over the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF). U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ...The Hill - 3h -
Lutnick says Trump tariffs 'worth it' even if they lead to recession
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Tuesday that President Trump’s tariff policies will be worth it, even if the economy ends up in a recession. In an interview that aired Tuesday, CBS News’s ...The Hill - 3h -
Democrat wins special election for Minnesota state House seat
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate David Gottfried is projected to win a special election for a seat in the Minnesota House, according to Decision Desk HQ. Gottfried, a pro bono ...The Hill - 3h -
GOP Rep. Mark Harris says Trump has done 'tremendous job' making case against Education Department
Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) said on Tuesday that President Trump successfully made the case against the Department of Education during his 2024 campaign, leading more Republicans to support the ...The Hill - 4h -
Sununu on possible Senate bid: 'I have not ruled it out completely'
Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he is considering running for Senate after previously rejecting the possibility. “I have not ruled it out completely, but folks in Washington have ...The Hill - 5h