Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, has filed a $20 million claim against the Trump administration. He alleges false imprisonment and malicious prosecution during his detention by US immigration authorities.
Khalil’s lawyers submitted the claim against the Departments of Homeland Security and State on Thursday. The law requires that such claims be made directly to the government before a lawsuit can be filed. Officials now have six months to respond.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security called the claim “absurd,” insisting that the Trump administration acted within its legal authority. Khalil was arrested in March and detained for over 100 days.
The government accused Khalil of supporting Palestinians in a way that harmed US-Israel relations. He was released on June 20 after his lawyers successfully argued that his detention was politically motivated and unconstitutional.
Khalil told Reuters he hopes the claim will deter future political targeting. He also seeks an official apology and a promise that no one will be arrested or deported for expressing pro-Palestinian views.
This case sparked widespread protests and criticism from civil rights groups. In June, a US judge ruled that the Trump administration violated Khalil’s free speech rights, ordering his release on bail as he fights deportation.