"Very dehumanizing experience": Mahmoud Khalil describes his detention
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Pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil speaks during a rally on the steps of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on June 22 in New York City. Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty
Recently freed pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil told CNN that the Trump administration tried to "make an example" of him with his arrest and immigration detention.
Why it matters: Khalil's detention was an early flashpoint in President Trump's crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses following Israel's operations in Gaza.
- "It was a very, very dehumanizing experience, for someone who was not accused of any crime, whatsoever," said Khalil, a green card holder who was held for more than 100 days without being charged with a crime.
- He said the Trump administration is in the process of revoking his green card.
Driving the news: Khalil said the administration inaccurately conflated his pro-Palestinian speech with supporting terrorism.
- The Trump administration on Friday maintained that Khalil "has consistently engaged in conduct detrimental to American foreign policy interests," per a statement from White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Catch up quick: Khalil was released from federal immigration detention last month.
- His lawyers on Thursday filed a claim against the Trump administration for $20 million in damages for false arrest and imprisonment, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
State of play: In the interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Khalil described poor treatment in the detention facilities and being shackled for transportation "like an object." He said when he arrived in Louisiana, his leg was "fully swallowed" and he couldn't walk.
- "The moment you enter such ICE facilities, your rights literally stay outside," Khalil said.
- The food was "as close as could be to inedible," during his detention, he said, and he began eating vegetarian after the meat made him vomit. The facility was cold, and his requests for more blankets were ignored, he claimed.
Zoom in: Khalil was denied temporary release to be present for the birth of his firstborn child, which he said was the "most difficult moment" of his life.
- When he did see his son for the first time, it was through thick glass. He was eventually granted one hour to hold him.
- "This could have been avoided," he said. "We put so many requests to be able to attend that moment. I don't think I would be able to forgive them for taking that moment away from me."
The bottom line: Khalil in the interview continued to push for an end to Israel's war in Gaza and solidarity with Palestinians.
- "We should focus on actually why these students are protesting right now," Khalil said. "It is because their universities and the U.S. government is fully invested in the killing of the Palestinian people."
Go deeper: Freed Mahmoud Khalil seeks $20 million in damages from Trump admin
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from the White House and more details from Khalil's interview.
