NEW YORK - Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has filed a $20 million claim against the Trump administration, alleging false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and defamation stemming from his 104-day detention by U.S. immigration authorities [1][2][3].

The claim, filed on Thursday, names the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the State Department as defendants. Khalil's lawyers argue that he was wrongfully accused of undermining U.S. foreign policy interests due to his activism against Israel [1][2].

Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, recounted the emotional toll of his detention. 'I cannot describe the pain of that night,' he said, referring to the pre-dawn hours spent in a Louisiana immigration jail while awaiting news of his child's birth in New York. 'This is something I will never forgive.' [1][2][3]

The lawsuit alleges that Khalil was 'falsely imprisoned, maliciously prosecuted and smeared as an antisemite' as the government sought to deport him over his prominent role in campus protests [1][2][3]. This legal action serves as a precursor to a potential lawsuit under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Khalil's case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding free speech, immigration policies, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the United States. The outcome of this claim could have significant implications for activists and the boundaries of political expression.

As the legal process unfolds, Khalil now spends his days in Manhattan with his 10-week-old son, Deen, a stark contrast to his recent imprisonment. The case continues to draw attention to the intersection of activism, immigration policy, and civil liberties in America.