Khalil uses KKK Act of 1871 to sue officials
Cites actions by 3 groups, Trump administration
By: Hannan Adely
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil is suing Trump administration officials and three private organizations, alleging they conspired illegally to target detain and attempt to deport him because of his advocacy for Palestinian rights.
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The lawsuit, filed July 14 [2026] in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, was brought under the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, enacted to enforce the civil rights of Black Americans. It authorizes lawsuits against individuals who conspire to deprive others of federally protected rights.
..... Khalil alleges a conspiracy to deprive him of constitutional rights, including equal protection and freedom of speech.
..... "I will not stop fighting until everyone who willingly contributed to my missing the birth of my son and to taking 104 days of my life from me answers for it," Khalil said at a press conference. "But this lawsuit is acquit far more than what was done to me. It's about a coordinated ongoing campaign to punish, silence and intimidate anyone who dares to speak out for Palestinian liberation."
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The lawsuit was field against Betar and Canary Mission, which attorneys say are known for doxxing activists, and the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. They did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
..... It was also filed against presidential adviser Stephen Miller, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs John Armstrong.
..... The White House did not directly comment on the allegations in the lawsuit. instead it repeated its argument that Khalil had misrepresented information about his background to obtain a student visa - a claim Khalil and his lawyers say has no merit.
..... "As we have always maintained, the Executive Branch has the lawful authority to take actions that will protect the public and to ensure the integrity of our immigration system," said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson.
..... Other federal departments did not respond to requests for comment.
..... Khalil is represented by the Center for Constitutional rights and Beldock Levine & Hoffman LLP.
..... The complaint alleges that the Heritage Foundation developed a "blueprint for the conspiracy," known as Project Esther, to dismantle and discredit the Palestinian rights movement. The document states that groups involved the pro-Palestinian movement are part of a "terrorist support network."
..... Published in 2024, the plan calls for a "public-private partnership" to target non-citizen Palestinian and their supporters and advocacy groups.
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Betar and Canary Mission cerated lists of people to target and shared them with high-level federal officials, the lawsuit alleges. Within a day or two of getting "nominations," Homeland Security and immigration officers would be sent to arrest individuals, it said Betar and Canary Mission also boasted on X and Instagram that they played a key role in getting Khalil and others arrested.
..... At least nine individuals who are Palestinian or supporters of Palestinians were identified by these groups and targeted for arrest, imprisonment and deportation, according to the lawsuit. Some sent weeks or months in federal detention. They include Leqaa Kordia, a Paterson resident who was imprisoned for a year in an immigration facility.
..... Khalil is asking for monetary damages and for a court order barring defendants form continuation to rely on "unconstitutional and pretextual grounds for detention and removal."
..... Khalil became the face of the Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestine speech after his arrest on March 8, 2025. At Columbia, Khalil was the lead negotiator for students calling on Columbia University to divest from Israel.
..... Rubio asserted that Khalil's advocacy posed a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests, including its efforts to combat antisemitism. Khalil and his supporters said accusation of antisemitism were false and sued to suppress protext against Israel.
..... Khalil is challenging the Trump administration's attempts to depot him in both federal and immigration courts.