Fact Check: "Khalil has been detained in Louisiana since federal agents arrested him in March."
What We Know
Mahmoud Khalil, a student activist at Columbia University, has been detained in an immigration facility in Louisiana since March 8, 2025. He was arrested by federal immigration agents in New York City, marking a significant event in the context of the Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses (source-1, source-2). Khalil's detention has been justified by the government on various grounds, including allegations of fraud related to his green card application, which he and his legal team contest as baseless (source-3, source-4).
Analysis
The claim that Khalil has been detained in Louisiana since March is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Reports confirm that he has been held at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana, for over 90 days, specifically since March 8, 2025 (source-5, source-8). The legal proceedings surrounding his detention have been contentious, with a federal judge recently ruling that the government could continue to detain him based on the new fraud charges, despite earlier indications that his detention might be unconstitutional (source-1, source-3).
The sources used in this analysis are reputable news organizations and legal commentary, which lend credibility to the information presented. The ACLU has also been involved in Khalil's case, highlighting concerns about the legality of his arrest and detention, which further emphasizes the significance of this situation (source-7).
Conclusion
The claim that "Khalil has been detained in Louisiana since federal agents arrested him in March" is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that Mahmoud Khalil has been in detention at an immigration facility in Louisiana since his arrest on March 8, 2025. His ongoing legal battles and the circumstances surrounding his detention underscore the contentious nature of his case within the broader context of immigration enforcement and free speech rights.
Sources
- Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil release request denied
- Who is Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian activist facing US deportation?
- Mahmoud Khalil will remain in detention, despite judge's ruling
- Mahmoud Khalil responds to 'grotesque' charges in new legal filing
- Federal judge rules Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil be released
- Federal judge rules Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil be released
- Government Admits It Had No Warrant for Mahmoud Khalil When Agents Took Him
- Government says Mahmoud Khalil will not be released
