Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim over ICE detention

This is the 'first damages complaint' brought by an individual targeted by the Trump's administration's 'crackdown' on Gaza war protesters

Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, who was released from ICE detention, speaks during a rally on the steps of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on June 22, 2025 in New York City.
Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student Khalil speaks during a rally on the steps of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on June 22, 2025, in New York City
(Image credit: Andrew Lichtenstein / Corbis via Getty Images)

What happened

Palestinian rights activist Mahmoud Khalil Thursday began the process of suing President Donald Trump's administration for $20 million.

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Rafi Schwartz, The Week US

Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.