Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident and Columbia University graduate, was detained for over 100 days after participating in peaceful, pro-Palestinian protests on campus. He missed the birth of his first child while being held in an immigration facility—despite a federal judge later ruling he posed no threat or flight risk.

Now, Khalil is seeking $20 million in damages from the U.S. government, citing false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. He says his arrest wasn’t about safety—it was about silencing his speech.

This should alarm all of us.

Freedom of expression is a core American value protected by the First Amendment. It should not be stripped away based on immigration status or political opinion. If non-citizens can be detained simply for speaking out, then none of us are truly free.

We call on the U.S. Department of Justice and other federal agencies to acknowledge the harm done to Mahmoud Khalil, respect the constitutional rights of all residents, and ensure that no one is targeted for exercising their right to protest. Let this claim serve as a reminder: political dissent is not a deportable offense.

Sign to stand up for free speech, equal rights, and accountability.