Khalil Accuses Columbia of Discrimination in New Lawsuit

Former campus protest leader Mahmoud Khalil sued Columbia University Monday, accusing officials of discriminating against him and other Palestinian students and failing to keep them safe from doxxing and harassment amid widespread demonstrations in spring 2024.

Other plaintiffs include The Palestine Working Group and its president, Mohammad Zubairi. The lawsuit alleges Columbia violated the plaintiffs’ civil rights and seeks an end to the suspension handed down to The Palestine Working Group in 2025, and restoration of Khalil’s campus access. The group was part of a broader movement behind the protests and occupation of Hamilton Hall in late 2024. Columbia later suspended the group and reportedly accused it of contributing to a harassing environment and has denied Khalil access to campus, citing public safety concerns.

Speaking outside of the closed university gates, Khalil alleged officials “prioritized the protection and well-being of a subset of students while ignoring our concerns and our pleas.” He also alleged Columbia allowed a “hostile environment” to develop against Palestinian students.

“We are suing because no student, regardless of their background, should go through the hell that Columbia put us through over all these years,” Khalil said at Monday’s livestreamed news conference.

Khalil also sued Keren Yarhi-Milo, dean of the School of International and Public Affairs, who he said Monday dismissed concerns raised about harassment. (Following the pro-Palestinian protests, Jewish students also alleged the university failed to adequately response to their reports of discrimination and harassment, which led the Trump administration to accuse Columbia of failing to take action to stop a hostile environment from developing.)

Khalil, who was a key force behind the pro-Palestinian protest movement at Columbia, accused leadership of ignoring “vicious harassment” against him and other demonstrators and standing by when Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested him in university housing. (Khalil was released from ICE custody after a judge found his detention to be unconstitutional. Court records later showed Khalil and other students were targeted for protected speech.)

Khalil is now embroiled in multiple legal fights. Beyond this latest lawsuit, he’s still fighting the Trump administration’s efforts to deport him and has sued federal government officials and others seeking information about efforts to dox protesters. He also sued Columbia last year over the release of student records to Congress.

A Columbia spokesperson declined to comment directly on the lawsuit.

“Creating a campus environment where every member of our community feels welcome, supported, and safe is fundamental to who we are as a University. It is also a responsibility we take seriously. Columbia is committed to protecting our community from discrimination and harassment, and responding promptly and appropriately when concerns arise,” they wrote.

Last July, Columbia settled with the federal government over alleged civil rights violations. Columbia agreed to sweeping changes including an overhaul of its student disciplinary system, campus protest restrictions, and greater administrative oversight of several academic programs. Columbia agreed to pay $221 million as part of the settlement deal.

In exchange, the federal government closed investigations and restored millions in frozen research funding.

While Columbia’s fight with the feds appears to have concluded with the settlement, the university is resisting calls from the New York City community to open its 116th Street gates, which have been locked since spring 2024 as the university restricted campus access following protests. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently added his voice to those who want to see the gates opened.