Khalil v. The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York

Summary

In March 2025, Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and student activist, joined seven current students in filing a federal lawsuit aimed at preventing Columbia University and Barnard College from releasing student disciplinary records to the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. The committee’s request was part of an investigation into alleged antisemitic incidents connected to widespread campus protests, including occupations and disruptions linked to pro-Palestinian advocacy. The plaintiffs argued that surrendering these records would violate their First Amendment rights, as well as federal privacy protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which restricts the disclosure of student educational records without consent. Responding to these concerns, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order in late March, blocking the universities from complying with the records request and underscoring the constitutional and privacy implications. However, in a subsequent April ruling, the court determined that Columbia must comply with a Senate committee’s narrower request for disciplinary records related specifically to pro-Palestinian activism occurring between April 2024 and January 2025.

At the same time, Khalil’s immigration case drew intense scrutiny after his arrest by ICE in early March on charges related to visa overstay. His attorneys contended that his detention was not simply an immigration matter but rather retaliatory, aimed at silencing his activism and discouraging similar protests on campus. Despite the government’s push for expedited deportation, including a judge’s May decision ordering Khalil’s removal, his legal team successfully appealed. On June 20, 2025, a federal judge in Newark ordered Khalil’s release on bail after more than three months in detention, citing the government’s “highly unusual” conduct and finding no credible evidence that Khalil posed any danger to the community or national security. This ruling and Khalil’s extended detention sparked a wave of national attention and support from civil rights groups, elected officials, and academic communities concerned about the implications for free speech, immigration enforcement, and government retaliation against political activists.