Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent figure in US student protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, has been denied proper legal access while being detained for deportation, his lawyer told a federal court in New York on Wednesday.
The Columbia University graduate was arrested over the weekend and transferred to Louisiana, sparking widespread demonstrations.
Despite not being accused of any crimes, Khalil’s permanent residency is reportedly being revoked due to his involvement in the protests.
His attorney, Ramzi Kaseem, stated that Khalil had only been allowed monitored phone calls with lawyers and had yet to receive a private legal consultation.
Khalil was detained while walking home with his wife, who is eight months pregnant. His legal team has struggled to gain access to him, prompting Judge Jesse Furman to order that Khalil be granted a daily confidential call with his attorneys.
His arrest comes during a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian student demonstrators, following President Donald Trump’s pledge to deport foreign protesters.
The Department of Homeland Security cited Trump’s executive orders on anti-Semitism as the basis for Khalil’s detention, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the move, asserting that those with student visas or green cards would face deportation for alleged support of Hamas.
Protests erupted outside the courthouse, with demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and actress Susan Sarandon among those showing support.
Meanwhile, the White House has accused Columbia University of not cooperating with authorities seeking to deport other students involved in the demonstrations.
The case has ignited fierce debate, with critics arguing that the detentions suppress free speech and set a dangerous precedent for political activism in the US.
