Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian activist detained by federal authorities, has released a letter from prison calling on his supporters to continue their protests while blaming Columbia University for his arrest. The letter, made public by his legal team, accuses the university of betraying him and handing him over to immigration officials.
Khalil, who was arrested earlier this month on immigration violations, claimed in his message that Columbia’s leadership prioritized political pressure over protecting one of their own. He stated that his outspoken role in the campus protests against Israel made him a target and accused the university of cooperating with federal agents to silence him.
In the letter, Khalil urged demonstrators not to back down, describing the protests as a necessary stand against what he called an unjust system targeting pro-Palestinian voices. He warned that his arrest was only the beginning of efforts to intimidate others who speak out.
Federal authorities confirmed Khalil remains in custody and faces deportation proceedings. He had previously led several anti-Israel protests on campus, drawing national attention and sparking political controversy.
The situation has heightened tensions at Columbia, where supporters continue to rally for Khalil’s release while critics argue that the university was right to comply with the law. University officials have declined to comment further, citing legal constraints.