Profile of Mahmoud Khalil: Columbia University Activist Arrested in US

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist at Columbia University, was arrested under the Trump administration. A legal US resident married to Noor Abdalla, he faces potential deportation after advocating for Palestinian rights. Born in a Syrian refugee camp, he has worked in various educational roles and recently completed his master’s degree. Khalil and Abdalla are expecting their first child in April 2024, highlighting the emotional stakes of his situation.

Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian activist at Columbia University, was recently arrested by federal agents during the Trump administration. A legal US resident married to Noor Abdalla, a dentist in New York, Khalil has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights on campus. The Trump administration criticized the protests in which he participated, labeling them antisemitic and anti-American, while claiming his arrest is indicative of a larger crackdown on student activists throughout the United States.

Born and raised in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, Khalil arrived in the US on a student visa in 2022 and obtained permanent residency last year. He previously worked as a social worker in Syria and later as a program manager for the Syria Office at the British embassy in Beirut, where he led the prestigious Syria Chevening Program, an international scholarship scheme.

Khalil’s path to the US was marked by challenges from the Syrian civil war, which disrupted his educational aspirations in aviation engineering. He worked with a non-profit in Beirut that focused on educating Syrian children while earning a degree in computer science. He met Noor Abdalla at the non-profit in 2016, and the couple married in New York in 2023 after a seven-year long-distance relationship.

Khalil completed his master’s degree in International and Public Affairs at Columbia University in December, although he has yet to receive the official degree. Currently, he and his wife are expecting their first child in April 2024. Abdalla expressed her concerns regarding Khalil’s arrest, stating the emotional toll it would take on their family during such a pivotal moment in their lives.

In conclusion, Mahmoud Khalil is a devoted Palestinian activist who has recently faced arrest as part of the Trump administration’s actions against student activists. His background reveals a story of resilience and commitment to education and advocacy in the face of adversity. As he and his wife prepare to welcome a child, the implications of his legal troubles present a significant challenge. Khalil’s journey underscores the complexities surrounding activism and immigration in the contemporary political landscape.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com