The student believes that Khalil’s background and experience with organizations like UNRWA may have influenced his extreme anti-Israel views.
“He’s very much a product of his upbringing and the organizations he’s been a part of. It’s not surprising to me that he was in UNRWA because that’s exactly the type of person they would recruit,” she said.
She also noted that Khalil’s detention should serve as a warning to other students who engage in hateful and violent behavior on college campuses.
“It’s important for colleges to take a stand against this kind of behavior before it escalates to something more dangerous,” she said. “I hope that this sends a message to other students that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.”
As for Khalil, she hopes that he will be held accountable for his actions and that he will not be allowed to spread his hateful ideology any further.
“I hope that he is deported and that he faces consequences for his actions,” she said. “He has caused a lot of harm and fear among students at Columbia, and I think it’s important that he is held accountable for that.”
For now, the student is grateful for Khalil’s detention and hopes that it will bring some peace of mind to the campus community.
“I feel safer now that he is not here,” she said. “I hope that this will bring some closure to the students who have been affected by his actions.”
She also expressed her gratitude to the authorities who detained Khalil and worked to ensure the safety of the campus community.
“I’m thankful to ICE for taking action and removing him from the campus,” she said. “I think it’s important that we take threats to our safety seriously, and I’m glad that they did.”
For now, the campus community can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Khalil is no longer a presence on campus, and that steps are being taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
As for Khalil, his future remains uncertain as he awaits deportation proceedings. But for now, the campus community can rest a little easier knowing that one less threat is off the streets.
Mahmoud Khalil, a former British government employee who worked in a support role informing British foreign policy on Syria, is currently facing deportation in the United States. Khalil, who possesses extensive knowledge of the region and Arabic language skills, underwent a rigorous security clearance process for his role in the UK government.
After his time in the British government, Khalil pursued a master’s degree in public administration at Columbia University in the US. He moved to the US on a student visa in December 2022 and later became a permanent resident after marrying his wife, Noor Abdalla, a US citizen and dentist, in 2023. The couple is expecting their first child in late April and resides in an off-campus apartment.
However, Khalil’s life took a drastic turn when federal immigration agents detained him last week. His lawyers are currently fighting his deportation, arguing that ICE detained him illegally. The case has sparked controversy and drawn attention from anti-Israel protestors who have engaged in vandalism and hateful demonstrations in support of Khalil.
The Trump administration has justified Khalil’s potential deportation by citing his involvement in anti-Israel protests during his time at Columbia University. While Khalil is not facing any criminal charges, officials claim his actions are contrary to national and foreign policy interests.
The situation has divided the Columbia University community, with some students showing support for Khalil by wearing keffiyehs to class. The graduate student body is deeply unsettled by the events surrounding Khalil’s detainment, which have led to heightened tensions and protests on campus.
As the legal battle continues, Khalil’s future remains uncertain. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding immigration policies and the impact they can have on individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
