Former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil and other former student activists sue Columbia University in federal court, alleging the university showed “deliberate indifference” to harassment and discrimination against pro-Palestinian students and that this inaction contributed to his March 2025 detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Khalil, who says he sought help from university officials before his arrest, argues the lack of support helped make his detention possible.
The lawsuit, filed alongside the Palestine Working Group (PWG) and its president, alleges repeated threats, harassment, and doxxing directed at plaintiffs because of their pro-Palestinian advocacy and perceived Arab or Muslim background, national origin, and immigration status. Multiple outlets say the complaint cites events extending back years, including conduct tied to campus protest activity after the October 7, 2023 attacks and the war in Gaza.
Outlets differ mainly in emphasis. Some focus on Khalil’s account that Columbia failed to provide legal or safety support before ICE came for him, while others highlight broader claims about Columbia’s handling of harassment reports and alleged retaliation affecting student organizing. Columbia says creating a campus environment where community members feel safe is fundamental and that it responds promptly to concerns.
