Lawyers argue the administration lacked legal authority in wrongful detention of student, seeking $20 million for false imprisonment and First Amendment breaches.

Student Files $20M Federal Claim

July 11, 2025: Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old Iranian-Palestinian former Columbia graduate student, has formally filed a $20 million claim under federal procedure against the Trump-era Departments of Homeland Security and State. His claim accuses the administration of false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, defamation, and viewpoint-based retaliation.

Alleged Constitutional Overreach

Khalil’s legal team asserts that his detention was politically motivated and baseless, targeting him due to his pro-Palestinian activism— a practice the administration reportedly enforced without proper legal authority or constitutional justification. He contends the actions “violated elementary constitutional protections” including free speech and due process rights.

Detention Without Due Process

Khalil was arrested in March 2025 in New York without a warrant and detained for more than 100 days at a Louisiana facility. He was held under a revocation of his legal residency, with no criminal charges filed. A federal judge later ruled that his detention constituted an unreasonable infringement on his constitutional rights, emphasizing the case’s political dimension.

Legal & Policy Ramifications

Khalil’s claim must be filed first under federal law before litigation may proceed.

A ruling in his favor could establish legal accountability for politically motivated detentions under the Trump administration.

He has also called for an official apology and policy pledges to prevent future suppression of political speech.

Why This Case Matters

It highlights potential misuse of immigration enforcement against political dissent.

It challenges policies that may have arbitrarily target foreign students or activists.

The filing raises broader concerns about executive power and view-point discrimination against noncitizens.

Mahmoud Khalil’s $20 million claim accuses the Trump administration of exceeding its authority by incarcerating him based on political views—not crime. His case now stands at the threshold of federal litigation, raising critical questions about immigration enforcement and First Amendment protections.