14 U.S. Congress Members Demand Release of Mahmoud Khalil, Detained by ICE for Palestinian Advocacy

Fourteen members of the U.S. House of Representatives have demanded the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and legal permanent resident of the United States, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The lawmakers, all Democrats, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, expressing their horror at Khalil's 'illegal abduction and now indefinite detention' by DHS agents. Khalil, known for his advocacy for Palestinian rights and a green card holder, was arrested without a warrant or formal charges, despite not being convicted of any crime. The letter states that Khalil was targeted for his activism as a student leader and negotiator for the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University, protesting against the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. He was separated from his pregnant wife during the arrest. The arrest has sparked widespread concern among civil rights and free speech advocates, with Khalil being transferred over 2,100 kilometers from his home to a detention facility in Louisiana. The lawmakers argue that Khalil's constitutional rights have been violated, as he has been denied access to counsel and family visits. This action was taken in support of President Trump's executive orders. Prominent figures such as Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and Ayanna Pressley are among the signatories of the letter, which condemns the arrest as an attempt to criminalize political protest and a direct assault on freedom of speech. They also describe it as an act of anti-Palestinian racism intended to silence the Palestine solidarity movement.