Mahmoud Khalil’s 104 days in ICE Detention

Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student and protest negotiator, recounts his 104-day detention in an immigration facility following his arrest in March 2025. Labeled a foreign policy threat by the government, Khalil faced imprisonment despite having no criminal record. His experience highlights the severe psychological toll of confinement, most notably his forced absence during his son's birth. Khalil refutes government accusations of anti-Semitism, framing his activism as a principled stand for human rights and dignity. He describes the dehumanizing conditions of the detention center and the systemic challenges faced by other detainees. Despite the ongoing threat of deportation, Khalil remains committed to his legal battles against the government and the university, asserting that his fight is essential to upholding the rule of law and advocating for Palestinian liberation.