Activist Mahmoud Khalil Returns to Columbia University Following Federal Detention

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, returned to the campus on October 27, 2026, to discuss his memoir. This appearance marked his first return to the university for a public event since he was detained by immigration authorities in 2025.

During the event, Khalil criticized Columbia’s response to campus protests and accused the institution of attempting to silence Palestinian voices. The university stated that it supports the right to organize academic events but does not necessarily endorse the views of invited speakers.

Khalil was arrested during a federal crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists and spent over three months in detention without criminal charges. While a federal judge in New Jersey ordered his release, a separate ruling in Louisiana ordered his deportation due to alleged omissions on his green card application.

The activist has filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to challenge the legality of federal immigration detentions without judicial oversight. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security maintains that its actions were lawful and has accused Khalil of advocating for violence and supporting terrorism.