
Now freed, Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim against Trump administration
For a moment, the outspoken Palestinian activist found himself uncharacteristically speechless.
'I cannot describe the pain of that night,' Khalil said finally, gazing down as the baby, Deen, cooed in his arms. 'This is something I will never forgive.'
Now, weeks after regaining his freedom, Khalil is seeking restitution. On Thursday, his lawyers filed a claim for $20 million in damages against the Trump administration, alleging Khalil was falsely imprisoned, maliciously prosecuted and smeared as an antisemite as the government sought to deport him over his prominent role in campus protests.
The filing — a precursor to a lawsuit under the Federal Tort Claims Act — names the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the State Department.
Story continues below advertisement
It comes as the deportation case against Khalil, a 30-year-old recent graduate student at Columbia University, continues to wind its way through the immigration court system.
The goal, Khalil said, is to send a message that he won't be intimidated into silence.
'They are abusing their power because they think they are untouchable,' Khalil said. 'Unless they feel there is some sort of accountability, it will continue to go unchecked.'
1:56
Mahmoud Khalil released from ICE custody after more than 3 months in jail
Khalil said he plans to share any settlement money with others targeted in Trump's 'failed' effort to suppress pro-Palestinian speech. In lieu of a settlement, he would also accept an official apology and changes to the administration's deportation policies.
A White House spokesperson deferred comment to the State Department, which said its actions were fully supported by the law.
Story continues below advertisement
In an emailed statement, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, called Khalil's claim 'absurd,' accusing him of 'hateful behavior and rhetoric' that threatened Jewish students.
Harsh conditions and an 'absurd' allegation
The filing accuses President Donald Trump and other officials of mounting a haphazard and illegal campaign to 'terrorize him and his family,' beginning with Khalil's March 8 arrest.
On that night, he said he was returning home from dinner with his wife, Noor Abdalla, when he was 'effectively kidnapped' by plainclothes federal agents, who refused to provide a warrant and appeared surprised to learn he was a legal U.S. permanent resident.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
He was then whisked overnight to an immigration jail in Jena, Louisiana, a remote location that was 'deliberately concealed' from his family and attorneys, according to the filing.
Inside, Khalil said he was denied his ulcer medication, forced to sleep under harsh fluorescent lights and fed 'nearly inedible' food, causing him to lose 15 pounds (7 kilograms). 'I cannot remember a night when I didn't go to sleep hungry,' Khalil recalled.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration publicly celebrated the arrest, promising to deport him and others whose protests against Israel it dubbed 'pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity.'
Khalil, who has condemned antisemitism before and since his arrest, was not accused of a crime and has not been linked to Hamas or any other terror group. 'At some point, it becomes like reality TV,' Khalil said of the allegations. 'It's very absurd.'
Story continues below advertisement
View image in full screen
Mahmoud Khalil, right, speaks to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., after arriving at Newark International Airport, Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Newark, N.J. Seth Wenig / The Associated Press
Deported for beliefs
A few weeks into his incarceration, Khalil was awoken by a fellow detainee, who pointed excitedly to his face on a jailhouse TV screen. A new memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged Khalil hadn't broken the law, but argued he should be deported for beliefs that could undermine U.S. foreign policy interests.
'My beliefs are not wanting my tax money or tuition going toward investments in weapons manufacturers for a genocide,' Khalil said. 'It's as simple as that.'
By then, Khalil had become something of a celebrity in the 1,200-person lock-up. When not dealing with his own case, he hosted 'office hours' for fellow immigrant detainees, leaning on his past experience working at a British embassy in Beirut to help others organize paperwork and find translators for their cases.
Story continues below advertisement
'I'm pretty good at bureaucracy,' Khalil said.
At night, they played Russian and Mexican card games, as Khalil listened to 'one story after another from people who didn't understand what's happening to them.'
'This was one of the most heartbreaking moments,' he said. 'People on the inside don't know if they have any rights.'
View image in full screen
A people gathered in Foley Square, outside the Manhattan federal court, in support of Mahmoud Khalil, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in New York. Stefan Jeremiah / The Associated Press
Lost time
On June 20, after 104 days in custody, Khalil was ordered released by a federal judge, who found the government's efforts to remove him on foreign policy grounds were likely unconstitutional.
He now faces new allegations of misrepresenting personal details on his green card application. In a motion filed late Wednesday, attorneys for Khalil described those charges as baseless and retaliatory, urging a judge to dismiss them.
Story continues below advertisement
The weeks since his release, Khalil said, have brought moments of bliss and intense personal anguish.
Fearing harassment or possible arrest, he leaves the house less frequently, avoiding large crowds or late-night walks. But he lit up as he remembered watching Deen taking his first swim earlier in the week. 'It was not very pleasant for him,' Khalil said, smiling.
View image in full screen
Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, hold their baby Deen during an interview, July 3, 2025, in New York. Yuki Iwamura / The Associated Press
'I'm trying as much as possible to make up for the time with my son and my wife,' he added. 'As well thinking about my future and trying to comprehend this new reality.'
Part of that reality, he said, will be continuing his efforts to advocate against Israel's war in Gaza, which has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. On the day after his release, he led a march through Manhattan, draped in a Palestinian flag — and flanked by security.
Story continues below advertisement
As he poured Deen's milk into a bottle, Khalil considered whether he might've done anything differently had he known the personal cost of his activism.
'We could've communicated better. We could've built more bridges with more people,' he said. 'But the core thing of opposing a genocide, I don't think you can do that any differently. This is your moral imperative when you're watching your people be slaughtered by the minute.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Global News
7 minutes ago
- Global News
Jimmy Kimmel delivers biting response to Trump's ‘next to go' threat
Jimmy Kimmel fired back at U.S. President Donald Trump after he declared Kimmel is the 'next to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes,' following the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. On Tuesday, Trump took to Truth Social to criticize Kimmel, claiming he has 'absolutely NO TALENT' and warned that his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, is next on the chopping block. 'The word is, and it's a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes, and shortly thereafter, Fallon will be gone,' Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to other late-night host, Jimmy Fallon. 'These are people with absolutely NO TALENT, who were paid Millions of Dollars for, in all cases, destroying what used to be GREAT Television. It's really good to see them go, and I hope I played a major part in it!' Story continues below advertisement Kimmel responded by sharing a screenshot of Trump's post on Instagram with the caption: 'I'm hearing you're next. Or maybe it's just another wonderful secret' — a reference to a Wall Street Journal report, published July 17, that claimed Trump had written the phrase to Jeffrey Epstein in a letter for his 50th birthday in 2003. The alleged letter bearing Trump's name included text framed by the outline of a hand-drawn naked woman and ended with, 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,' according to the newspaper. The outlet described the contents of the letter but did not publish a photo showing it entirely. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Trump has denied writing the letter, calling it 'false, malicious, and defamatory.' He slammed the story in a lengthy social media post last week, saying he spoke to both the paper's owner, Rupert Murdoch, and its top editor, Emma Tucker, and told them the letter was 'fake.' Story continues below advertisement 'These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures,' he said. Trump has since sued the publication over the story. 2:09 Trump sues Wall Street Journal for $10B over article tying him to Jeffrey Epstein Comedian Chelsea Handler addressed Trump in Kimmel's Instagram comment section, adding that it's 'amazing a president doesn't have more important things to do.' 'You've played a major role in every single person to contemplate leaving this country,' Handler wrote. 'It's amazing a president doesn't have more important things to do like stop wars, make sure the country is safe from foreign enemies, or simply ensure that every family in this country can put food on their table.' Handler went on to suggest that children's literature character Pippi Longstocking 'would be better suited to the office.' Story continues below advertisement On Monday's episode of The Tonight Show, Fallon also brought up the cancellation of Colbert's show. 'I am your host,' Fallon said. 'Well, at least for tonight.' 'I don't like it. I don't like what's going on one bit. These are crazy times,' he told his audience. 'Stephen has done years of incredibly smart and hilarious television. He's won 10 Emmys. Trump heard and was like, 'Big deal. Last week, I just won a FIFA World Cup trophy.' Fallon was referring to the recent FIFA World Cup Final trophy presentation, when Trump stuck around on stage in the centre of the moment as the players received their trophy. Colbert also shared some choice words for Trump during Monday's opening monologue on The Late Show. 'Over the weekend it sunk in that they're killing off our show but they made one mistake: they left me alive,' Colbert said, looking directly into the camera. Story continues below advertisement 'And now for the next 10 months, the gloves are off. I can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump, starting right now.' Colbert said he doesn't 'care for' Trump, adding that he doesn't think he has 'the skill set to be president' and isn't 'a good fit.' The late-night host went on to read Trump's post celebrating the decision to cancel the show on Truth Social last Friday, in which he wrote, 'I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.' Colbert said into the 'Eloquence Cam': 'How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f— yourself.' — With files from The Associated Press


Global News
37 minutes ago
- Global News
Saskatchewan premier pushes provincial trade efforts at Council of Federation
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Last week, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe made an open invitation for all provinces to join the New West Partnership to break down interprovincial trade barriers. He has a similar focus at the Council of Federation meeting in Ontario. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy On Monday, he signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreements with Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, which will work to break down barriers around alcohol sales and labour mobility. Today, he signed an MOU with Alberta and Ontario centred around building oil and gas pipelines and railway projects. On top of Tuesday's Council of Federation meeting, Prime Minister Mark Carney also joined the premiers for a first minister meeting where he says they discussed relations with the United States and international trade efforts. Katherine Ludwig has the full details in the video above.


Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Parks Canada pulls plug on controversial MAGA musician's concert in Halifax
A controversial concert by a rising MAGA musician that was scheduled for a national historic site in Halifax has been cancelled by Parks Canada, but the singer has found a new venue in the province. American Christian rocker and missionary Sean Feucht was set to begin his Canadian tour at York Redoubt, a national historic site in Nova Scotia, on Wednesday night. Late Tuesday night, Parks Canada sent Global News a statement to say it had revoked the organizer's permit because of 'heightened public safety concerns.' 'Due to evolving safety and security considerations based on confirmation of planned protests, input from law enforcement, and the security challenges with the configuration of York Redoubt, Parks Canada has reassessed the conditions of the permit and potential impacts to community members, visitors, concert attendees and event organizers,' the statement said. Story continues below advertisement Feucht is known for speaking out against abortion rights and the LGBTQ2 community. He unsuccessfully ran as a Republican in California's 3rd congressional district in 2020. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He has also hosted worship concerts to protest COVID-19 restrictions and has previously visited the president for a faith briefing at the White House. Residents of the Halifax-area neighbourhood were upset when they found out about the event at the 230-year-old site. 'How did it happen? Who approved it? Did they even check it out? You know, it's kind of unbelievable how they can let someone just not even question it,' neighbour Leslie Lee said Tuesday. Residents said they intended to protest outside the event if it went through. 'I protested when I was in my early 20s, I can protest again,' said Marilyn Howard. On social media Wednesday, Feucht posted a video in response to Parks Canada's decision, alleging the decision was anti-Christian and intolerant. 'The show is going on baby. God is with us,' he said. He later announced a new location for his worship event in Shubenacadie, N.S. — about 40 minutes outside of Halifax. The Halifax show is the start of a 11-concert tour across Canada, with shows in Charlottetown, Moncton and Quebec City scheduled for later this week.