Fact Check: "U.S. Customs detained me for writing about Columbia protests."
What We Know
Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student and Palestinian activist, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid a crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism during protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Khalil was arrested in March 2025 and held for 104 days before being released by a federal judge who ruled that the government's actions were unusual and potentially punitive due to his political views (Washington Post, AP News). The judge noted that Khalil's detention appeared to be a form of retaliation for his activism, which included leading protests and engaging with the media (Washington Post).
Khalil's arrest was part of a broader pattern of detaining activists and students who opposed U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel. His case was marked by a lack of criminal charges against him, with the government citing immigration law provisions that were deemed potentially unconstitutional by the judge (AP News). The government claimed that Khalil's activism fostered a hostile environment for Jewish students, but no evidence was presented to substantiate these claims (Washington Post).
Analysis
The claim that Khalil was detained for writing about the Columbia protests is supported by multiple credible sources. His arrest was directly linked to his involvement in protests against the Israel-Gaza war, which the Trump administration characterized as antisemitic. The U.S. government’s rationale for his detention was based on his alleged support for Hamas, a claim that has been widely contested and lacked substantial evidence (AP News, NPR).
The judge's ruling emphasized that Khalil's detention was "highly unusual" and suggested it was a retaliatory measure against his political expression (Washington Post). This aligns with broader concerns about the suppression of dissent in the U.S., particularly against those who engage in political activism related to foreign policy issues.
However, it is important to note that while Khalil's detention was linked to his activism, the specific claim about being detained solely for writing about the protests may be an oversimplification. His arrest was part of a larger context of actions taken against activists, and while his writings contributed to the scrutiny he faced, the legal basis for his detention was broader, involving allegations of immigration violations (AP News).
Conclusion
The claim that "U.S. Customs detained me for writing about Columbia protests" is True. Mahmoud Khalil's detention was indeed linked to his activism and writings regarding the Columbia protests against the Israel-Gaza war. The legal actions taken against him were characterized by a federal judge as potentially punitive for his political views, indicating a troubling trend of using immigration enforcement to target dissent.