Mahmoud Khalil, a student activist at Columbia University, found himself in federal detention after becoming a prominent figure in campus protests. Unlike many of his peers, Khalil chose not to conceal his identity during demonstrations against the Gaza conflict, making him a visible target when President Trump intensified actions against student activists.
Last spring, Columbia's lawns were filled with masked students protesting, surrounded by counterprotesters and media. Khalil, a graduate student and Syrian immigrant of Palestinian heritage, stood out as a leader, often engaging with the press without hiding his face. His openness contrasted with other international students who wore masks to avoid jeopardizing their visas.
His wife, Noor Abdalla, expressed concern over his decision not to wear a mask. Khalil, however, questioned why he should hide if he wasn't doing anything wrong. As a representative for Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition of student groups with varying views on protest tactics, Khalil's visible role in the movement had significant repercussions.
Critics named him on social media, and on March 8, shortly after Trump's inauguration, federal agents detained him in Louisiana. Authorities accused him of leading activities linked to Hamas, a charge he denies. Khalil remains in detention as the situation unfolds.