Mahmoud Khalil: Profile of a Palestinian Activist Arrested in the US

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist at Columbia University and legal US resident, was recently arrested by federal agents. He faces potential deportation despite his marriage to an American and his contributions as a social worker. Originally from a Syrian refugee camp, Khalil has a compelling personal story of resilience and activism, which is now intertwined with his family’s future as they expect their first child.

Mahmoud Khalil is a legal US resident and notable Palestinian activist affiliated with Columbia University. Currently, he is married to Noor Adballah, a dentist based in New York. Recently, he was arrested by federal agents under the Trump administration, which has branded the pro-Palestinian protests he led as antisemitic and against American values. Trump indicated that Khalil’s arrest is part of a broader initiative to suppress student activism supporting Palestine across the United States.

Originally from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, Khalil arrived in the US on a student visa in 2022 before gaining permanent residency the following year. He previously worked as a social worker in Syria and aspired to study aviation engineering. However, the civil war in his homeland disrupted his plans. In a reflective essay written in 2017, he expressed the uncertainty faced by fleeing Syrian refugees, stating, “Where would I be if, like countless other Syrian refugees before me, I could not get a scholarship, could not work, or, worst of all, could not leave Syria in the depths of the ongoing war?”

After leaving Syria, Khalil moved to Beirut, where he joined a non-profit organization assisting Syrian children in education. He also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in computer science from a Lebanese university. Khalil met his wife, Noor Abdalla, through this non-profit in 2016. Their relationship blossomed into a long-distance romance before they married in New York in 2023.

In Beirut, Khalil served as a program manager at the Syria Office of the British Embassy, leading the Syria Chevening Program, a UK government international scholarship initiative. Former British diplomat Andrew Waller praised Khalil, stating, “You couldn’t meet a kinder or nicer person to work with. He’s thoughtful. He’s intelligent. He’s conscientious.”

Recently, Khalil completed his Master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs but has not yet received his degree. He and Noor are also expecting their first child in April 2024. Abdalla expressed concern about the impact of Khalil’s potential deportation, saying, “I think it would be very devastating for me and for him to meet his first child behind a glass screen…I’ve always been so excited to have my first baby with the person I love.”

In summary, Mahmoud Khalil is a dedicated Palestinian activist facing possible deportation after being arrested for his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. Originally from a refugee camp in Syria, he has a rich background in social work and education. His marriage to Noor Abdalla and their upcoming child highlight the personal stakes involved in his legal battles amid political tensions. Khalil’s case symbolizes broader issues of activism and immigration in the United States.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com