Mahmoud Khalil sues Columbia University over alleged anti‑Palestinian discrimination

What happened

Mahmoud Khalil announced on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, that he has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against Columbia University. The complaint accuses the university, its Board of Trustees and the dean of the School of International and Public Affairs, Keren Yarhi‑Milo, of “deliberate indifference” to a “severe, persistent, and coordinated harassment” campaign aimed at Khalil and other students who voiced support for Palestinian rights.

Who is involved

• Mahmoud Khalil – a U.S. green‑card holder of Palestinian descent and a graduate student at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). He was arrested by federal immigration agents at his university apartment in March 2025 and spent several months in detention, missing the birth of his first son. He was released in June 2025.
• Columbia University – the Ivy‑league institution in New York City, represented in the suit by its Board of Trustees and by the dean of SIPA, Keren Yarhi‑Milo.
• Brittany Finley – attorney for Khalil, who issued a press release condemning the university’s inaction.
• Palestine Working Group – a student‑led organization at SIPA that was suspended by Columbia in May 2025, a move the complaint says was part of the broader pattern of retaliation.
• Trump administration – referenced in the complaint as the federal authority that detained Khalil and other pro‑Palestinian activists.
• University spokesperson – declined to comment on the pending litigation but affirmed Columbia’s commitment to protecting its community from discrimination and harassment.

Why it matters

Khalil’s suit adds a legal dimension to a campus climate that has been volatile since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza. According to the complaint, students faced doxing campaigns that published their photos, names and personal details on mobile billboard trucks. Khalil, who acted as a mediator between protesters and administrators, repeatedly reported threats but says Columbia “chose indifference over action.”

Attorney Finley said, “Columbia knew what was happening on its campus, and it chose indifference over action.” The university’s response—“committed to protecting our community from discrimination and harassment”—stands in stark contrast to the allegations of suspended student groups and ignored safety concerns.

What happens next

The case will proceed through the federal court system, where Khalil may seek injunctive relief, damages and policy changes at Columbia. He has hinted at additional lawsuits targeting “hateful individuals at Columbia” if the institution does not address the grievances. Columbia has not disclosed any settlement negotiations and maintains that it will respond appropriately when the lawsuit moves forward.

Key numbers

• March 2025 – Khalil’s arrest by immigration agents.
• May 2025 – Suspension of the SIPA Palestine Working Group.
• June 2025 – Khalil’s release from detention, after missing his son’s birth.
• Sept. 14, 2026 – Date the lawsuit was filed and publicly announced.

The outcome could set a precedent for how universities handle politically charged activism and the protection of students facing government‑driven scrutiny.