A graduate student of Palestinian descent has filed a lawsuit against Columbia University, alleging the institution failed to address persistent and coordinated harassment targeting him while also showing deliberate indifference to his treatment. The legal action follows his arrest at his university apartment by federal immigration agents in 2025, part of a broader crackdown on foreign nationals advocating for Palestinian causes. The lawsuit claims the university retaliated against him and ignored systemic discrimination. The case raises questions about academic institutions’ responsibilities in protecting students from bias and government enforcement actions.
Lawsuit accuses university of ‘deliberate indifference’ and failure to respond to ‘persistent and coordinated harassment’Mahmoud Khalil announced on Monday that he’s sued Columbia University, accusing the New York City school he attended of a years-long history of anti-Palestinian discrimination, indifference to harassment, and retaliation.Khalil, a US green card holder of Palestinian descent, was a graduate student at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) when he was arrested at his university apartment by federal immigration agents in March 2025, the first of a number of foreign nationals that the Trump administration has detained and sought to deport over their pro-Palestinian advocacy. Continue reading...
