We Stand in Solidarity with Mahmoud Khalil and Demand his Immediate Release
Muslim Counterpublics Lab (MCL) is deeply concerned and outraged about the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student with a green card, upon returning home with his pregnant wife, who is a U.S. citizen, yesterday. His detention by ICE and their statement that his green card had been revoked is a clear violation of his constitutional right to free speech and any due process regarding his immigration status.
Rather than ending weapons sales to Israel, which are being used in its genocide of Palestinians, the US has chosen instead, to further dehumanize Palestinians and criminalize those standing in solidarity with Palestine and Palestinians. This blatant act of state violence represents another turning point in the culmination of the anti-palestinian racism that has been rampant in the US since the beginning of Israel’s genocide and is meant to sow deep fear amongst those who dare to challenge Israel’s violence and American support for it. This move also signals how the Trump regime will repress anyone acting against its agenda.
Moreover, Universities, such as Columbia and others that have actively repressed and punished their students for speaking out against Israel’s genocide, should be recognized not as bastions of academic freedom, but of vehicles of violence in service of the state.
Muslim Counterpublics Lab demands the release of Mahmoud Khalil and stands in solidarity with him, his family and the many brave organizers and activists who have taken a stand to advocate for the categorical rights of Palestinians and a free Palestine. We join many communities and organizations who refuse to be cowed by this blatant act of repression and will continue to fight for our voices to be heard and for the end of state violence.
In response to Mahmoud’s detention, Dr. Maha Hilal, Executive Director of MCL stated: “While the Trump administration is experimenting with how far it can go to criminalize Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and other marginalized communities, we will not be silenced. As much as this administration seeks to set a precedent to execute violence against our communities, we will continue resisting these attacks to defend the many courageous individuals in our movement who have refused to stay silent. Our solidarity is more powerful than any violence that the state wields at us and we will unequivocally and without hesitation continue to support Mahmoud and any others who are targeted so unjustly."
