Mahmoud Khalil
In short
Mahmoud Khalil is an Algerian-Palestinian activist and author who is currently appealing to the US Supreme Court to halt his deportation and challenge the Trump administration's immigration detention policies.
Who they are now
He is a former graduate student from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He is also a published memoirist following his 2025 detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Why they are in the news
He is in the news because he has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling regarding federal court jurisdiction over immigration detentions and to protect his free speech rights.
An example of their work
He served as a prominent negotiator and spokesperson during the 2024 Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University. In September 2026, he released his memoir titled No Lan.