Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Denounces Arrest as Political Persecution in U.S.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, has condemned his arrest and detention in a Louisiana immigration facility, calling himself a “political prisoner”. In a letter made public on Tuesday, Khalil described the harsh conditions in which he and many other detainees are held, accusing the U.S. government of targeting him for his pro-Palestinian activism.
Khalil was arrested on March 8 by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents after he and his eight-month-pregnant wife, Noor Abdalla, were stopped returning from dinner. He was taken into custody without a warrant, and officials refused to disclose the reasons for his detention. The Trump administration has accused Khalil of engaging in “activities aligned with Hamas,” though no evidence has been provided. Khalil, now held in an ICE detention center, insists that his arrest is a direct consequence of his activism against Zionist actions in Gaza, drawing comparisons to Zionist use of administrative detention against Palestinians.
In his letter, Khalil accused both the Biden and Trump administrations of enabling anti-Palestinian repression through support for Zionist military campaign in Gaza. He also criticized Columbia University for allegedly creating a disciplinary office to silence student activism. As he awaits legal proceedings, Khalil urged students, activists, and elected officials to defend the right to protest for Palestine, expressing hope that he will be free to witness the birth of his first child.
