Mahmoud Khalil Sues Columbia University Amid Deportation Concerns

Mahmoud Khalil has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against Columbia University, alleging the institution was deliberately indifferent to anti-Palestinian harassment, doxxing, and retaliation. The lawsuit, filed on September 14, 2026, also names the university’s Board of Trustees and Keren Yarhi-Milo, dean of the School of International and Public Affairs, as defendants. This legal action comes as Khalil faces separate efforts to deport him from the United States.

The complaint, which spans 60 pages, was submitted to federal court in New York City. Khalil is seeking to regain access to campus, have the suspension of the Palestine Working Group lifted, and receive monetary damages. While his immigration case proceeds independently, Khalil remains out of custody as he contests the deportation proceedings. The lawsuit also lists Mohammad Zubairi, president of the SIPA Palestine Working Group, as a co-plaintiff. It invokes Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, along with related civil-rights claims and a breach of contract allegation. Khalil has stated that his lawsuit targets the university’s actions, not the actions of the immigration agency. He expressed that he is suing Columbia for creating the conditions that led to his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Khalil also framed the lawsuit as a broader issue affecting other students, stating that no student should endure the hardships Columbia allegedly put them through.

Campus Harassment Linked to Khalil’s Arrest

The lawsuit claims that Columbia University failed to address the persistent and severe harassment reported by Khalil and other students. It further alleges that the university’s conduct directly contributed to his arrest by ICE and the subsequent attempt to deport him. Federal immigration agents apprehended Khalil at his Columbia residence on March 8, 2025. He was held in detention for 104 days, missing the birth of his child, before being released in June 2025.

The legal filing asserts discrimination based on perceived Arab or Muslim ancestry, national origin, and non-citizen status. It also accuses the university of not responding to threats, doxxing, and coordinated harassment, followed by retaliation against those who complained about such conduct. This case emerged amidst a broader campus conflict that reportedly began after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The university suspended the student group indefinitely in May 2025.

Legal Demands for Access, Reinstatement, and Damages

The plaintiffs are requesting both injunctive relief and financial compensation. The specific remedies sought include changes to Khalil’s campus status and the reversal of the student group’s suspension. The case is currently before the Southern District of New York. The defendants include Columbia University, its trustees, and Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo.

Khalil had previously filed a lawsuit against the university in March 2025 concerning the disclosure of student disciplinary records to Congress. The current complaint introduces separate allegations related to harassment, retaliation, and campus access.

Deportation Case Continues After Appellate Ruling

Khalil’s deportation proceedings have followed a distinct legal path. A federal appeals court in Philadelphia determined that a district judge lacked jurisdiction after ordering Khalil’s release from custody. However, this ruling did not resolve the immigration case itself. Khalil remains involved in active deportation proceedings, and a separate immigration challenge is ongoing.

The Board of Immigration Appeals issued a final order of removal in April 2026. Therefore, Khalil’s release in June 2025 did not settle the question of whether he can remain in the United States. His arrest on March 8, 2025, made him a notable figure in efforts to deport foreign students perceived as pro-Palestinian. His civil complaint, however, focuses on the university’s alleged actions prior to that arrest.

The two legal matters involve different parties and distinct legal questions. The removal case centers on immigration status and potential deportation. The civil-rights case challenges the university’s alleged treatment of Khalil and other students. Follow-up reports on September 15, 2026, indicated that both legal fronts remained active. Khalil is identified as a Palestinian former graduate student and a lawful permanent resident.

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