A petition calling for the release of pro-Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil has gained over 3 million signatures, surpassing the number of individuals who backed a well-known petition for recurring $2,000 stimulus payments.
Khalil, a Syrian-born permanent resident of the U.S. who was instrumental in the protests at Columbia University during last year’s Gaza conflict, was detained by federal immigration authorities on Saturday.
The Department of Homeland Security has charged him with involvement in “activities associated with Hamas, a designated terrorist group.” Khalil’s legal team asserts that there is no substantiating evidence for such claims.
Why It Matters
Khalil’s situation has sparked debates surrounding free speech and the potential for deportation.
Former President Donald Trump has pledged to take action against pro-Palestinian demonstrators, indicating that Khalil’s arrest could be “the first of many to come.”
The substantial support for the petition, along with protests in Manhattan, highlights the widespread concern regarding this issue.
AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey
What To Know
Khalil served as a mediator between pro-Palestinian activists and Columbia University during last year’s discussions about protest encampments. He was also affiliated with the Columbia University Apartheid Divest movement.
The petition for Khalil’s “immediate release” has accrued over 3,060,000 signatures since its launch by the Deportation Defense group on Sunday.
This amount exceeds that of the popular petition for consistent stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had slightly more than 3,050,000 signatures at the time of this report.
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Khalil’s wife, who is eight months pregnant and remains unnamed by attorneys, issued a message to supporters late Monday: “I urge you to see Mahmoud through my eyes as a compassionate husband and the future father of our child. I need your help to bring Mahmoud back home.”
The Latest on Mahmoud Khalil’s Case
A federal judge on Monday halted the Trump administration’s attempts to deport Khalil, who has been transferred from New York City to an immigration facility approximately 1,000 miles away in Louisiana.
The White House claimed on Tuesday that pro-Hamas propaganda was distributed during the campus protests organized by Khalil. Attorney Samah Sisay rejected this assertion, maintaining that there is no evidence supporting the allegations against her client.
A hearing concerning Khalil’s legal challenge commenced in New York on Wednesday.
Stefan Jeremiah/AP Photo
Kassem informed Judge Jesse Furman, presiding over the case, that the relocation has hindered their ability to continue work in the usual manner.
Judge Furman mandated that Khalil’s lawyers be permitted at least one phone call with him on Wednesday and another on Thursday.
What People Are Saying
Ramzi Kassem, attorney for Mahmoud Khalil, spoke outside court post-hearing: “He was taken by U.S. government agents as a form of retaliation, essentially, for exercising his First Amendment rights, for speaking out in defense of Palestinians in Gaza and beyond, and for his criticisms of both the U.S. and Israeli governments.”
Khalil’s wife remarked in a press release: “We were not presented with any warrant, and the ICE officers terminated the call with our attorney. When my husband tried to hand me his phone so I could speak to our lawyer, the officers became increasingly aggressive, despite Mahmoud being fully cooperative.
“Anyone who knows Mahmoud understands that he remains calm even in high-pressure situations. Even during this frightening ordeal, he kept his composure.
“Within minutes, they had handcuffed Mahmoud, took him outside, and forced him into an unmarked vehicle. Witnessing this scene was traumatizing—it felt like a scene from a film I never wanted to see.”
Republican Representative Mike LawlerNewsweek: “Mahmoud Khalil should be deported,” asserting, “We must enforce our laws and deport those who actively support terrorist organizations and encourage violent insurrections. This is about safeguarding our nation, particularly our Jewish students, from individuals who perpetuate hatred and violence.”
Khalil’s attorney Amy Greer stated to MSNBC News: “Mahmoud is a human rights champion. He advocates for the dignity and rights of all.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented: “This administration will not tolerate individuals who enjoy the privilege of studying in our nation while aligning with pro-terrorist organizations that have harmed Americans.”
What Happens Next
Khalil is scheduled to appear before an immigration judge in Louisiana on March 27. He remains in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Louisiana.
