Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over alleged years of anti-Palestinian discrimination

Mahmoud Khalil announced on Monday that he has filed a lawsuit against Columbia University, alleging a years-long history of anti-Palestinian discrimination, indifference to harassment, and retaliation by the New York City institution, according to the Guardian.

Khalil, a US green card holder of Palestinian descent, was a graduate student at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs when he was arrested at his university apartment by federal immigration agents in March 2025, the Guardian reported. He was the first of several foreign nationals the Trump administration has detained and sought to deport over their pro-Palestinian advocacy, according to the report.

The lawsuit accuses Columbia of "deliberate indifference" and failure to respond to what Khalil describes as "persistent and coordinated harassment," the Guardian said.

Details of the specific claims and Columbia's response to the lawsuit were not immediately available.