Mahmoud Khalil Sues Trump Officials Over ICE Arrest
Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent US resident, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday accusing top Trump administration officials of conspiring with outside groups to arrest and deport him as punishment for his support of Palestinian rights. Khalil was detained by ICE in March 2025 and held for 104 days — missing the birth of his child — before being released last June. The government is still trying to deport him, and his case could reach the Supreme Court.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court by the Center for Constitutional Rights, names White House senior adviser Stephen Miller, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as defendants. It also names the Heritage Foundation, and two pro-Israel online surveillance groups — Canary Mission and Betar US — accusing all of them of working together to target people for arrest and deportation based on their political views.
What the lawsuit claims
The complaint is brought under the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, a law originally passed to fight violent vigilantism. Khalil's lawyers allege that the Heritage Foundation helped design "Project Esther" — a plan to identify and deport pro-Palestinian non-citizen students and scholars. Betar US publicly claimed credit for Khalil's arrest and reportedly submitted thousands of names to the administration for similar treatment. During a separate trial last year, ICE official Peter Hatch testified that his agency assembled a team to investigate student protesters and compiled more than 100 reports based on a list of 5,000 people identified on the Canary Mission website. "The direction was to look at the website," Hatch said.
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
The White House said Khalil "willfully and intentionally" failed to report accurate information when obtaining his visa. A DHS spokesperson said the agency acted within its legal authority and told Khalil to use the CBP Home app to self-deport. Khalil's lawyers deny all misrepresentation claims. A federal appeals court earlier this year ruled that his deportation case must proceed in immigration court. His attorneys say they will ask the Supreme Court to intervene.
"This case is about far more than what was done to me," Khalil said at a press conference Tuesday. "It's about a coordinated, ongoing campaign to punish, silence and intimidate anyone who dares to speak out for Palestinian liberation." Khalil was born in Syria to Palestinian parents and is married to a US citizen. The Heritage Foundation, Canary Mission, and Betar US did not respond to requests for comment.
What to do
- If you are a green card holder (permanent resident) facing removal proceedings, contact an immigration attorney immediately — you have the right to a hearing in immigration court before a judge can order your deportation.
- Do not respond to government requests about your political views, social media, or affiliations without a lawyer present. Anything you say can be used in immigration proceedings.
- If you believe you were targeted because of your speech or political activity, document everything — emails, social media posts about you, any contact from government agencies — and share it with your attorney.
- If ICE comes to your door, you are not required to open the door or answer questions. Ask to see a warrant signed by a judge before letting anyone in.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Appealing to the BIA”.
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Green card holders have strong due process rights in removal proceedings — the government must prove its case before an immigration judge, and you have the right to present evidence and call witnesses. If the government claims you misrepresented information on your green card application, that is a serious charge, but it can be challenged: the burden is on DHS to show the misrepresentation was willful and material. Anyone who believes they were targeted because of constitutionally protected speech should consult an immigration attorney with civil rights experience as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the US government deport a permanent resident (green card holder) for their political views?
The government has tried to argue that a person's views can have "adverse foreign policy consequences" and justify deportation. Courts are still deciding how far that authority goes. Green card holders do have First Amendment protections, and several courts have pushed back on this reasoning. Khalil's case may ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.
What is "Project Esther" and how does it affect other immigrants?
According to Khalil's lawsuit, Project Esther was a plan developed with the Heritage Foundation to identify and deport pro-Palestinian non-citizen students and scholars. The lawsuit claims it created a "public-private partnership" between government agencies and outside surveillance groups. If the allegations are proven, it could affect any non-citizen who has publicly supported Palestinian rights.
What happens if ICE arrests me because of something I posted online or said at a protest?
You still have rights. You can remain silent, ask for a lawyer, and request a hearing before an immigration judge. Do not sign any documents without legal counsel. If you are a green card holder, you cannot be deported without a court order. Contact an immigration attorney or a civil liberties organization immediately.
Can outside groups like Canary Mission or Betar legally submit names to the government for deportation?
That is exactly what Khalil's lawsuit challenges. The complaint argues that coordinating with private groups to target people for arrest based on their political speech violates federal civil rights law. No court has ruled on this specific question yet — the lawsuit was just filed.