Proyecto Faro joins the call for the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder and Palestinian graduate student and activist from Columbia University, who was taken by immigration agents inside his own building. He is now being held at a detention facility in Jena, Louisiana and currently being prevented from speaking with his lawyer. His wife, a U.S. citizen, is eight months pregnant.
ICE’s attempt to revoke Khalil’s green card and make him disappear is a clear violation of his rights and an attack on the US Constitution. Thanks to quick legal action and community pressure, a judge has ruled that he cannot be deported without a court order — but the danger isn’t over. ICE also failed in a second attempt to detain another student activist. This proves what we’ve been warning about: ICE is now being used to silence political dissent, fuel racism, and criminalize immigrant communities regardless of documentation status.
But we are not powerless. In this situation, the community’s knowledge of their rights and willingness to take quick action was decisive in halting the deportation of Khalil. A student union successfully blocked ICE from unlawfully detaining another student. Public pressure helped stop Khalil’s immediate deportation.
Proyecto Faro board chair Nelcy Garcia De Leon said, “The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil is not just an attack on one student—it is an attack on all of us who believe in justice, due process, and free speech. The fact that ICE tried to remove him without a court order shows their disregard for the law and how important our work truly is, especially during times like this. And it’s no coincidence that this is happening to an activist of color during a time of growing attacks on minority groups. This is why Proyecto Faro exists: to give our community the knowledge and tools to fight back. Because when we resist, we win.”
Rabbi Jason Klein of Beit Simchat Torah (NYC) and an alumnus of Columbia stated at a press conference yesterday that these ICE actions and the policies of the current administration, “are not in the interest of Jewish safety; they are distracting us from real acts of antisemitism. They rely on weaponizing antisemitism, exploiting people’s worst instincts, to capitulate to tyranny. Whether or not I or anyone agrees with my fellow Columbia Lion, it would be a grave mistake for any of us as Jews to forget that liberties such as free speech and due process have allowed us to thrive in this country as well. If you agree with any opinion that Mr. Khalil has, you may be outraged. If you disagree with Mr. Khalil, I suggest that this is the time to be even more outraged. What happened to Mr. Khalil could happen to anyone.”
The stakes are extremely high. Now more than ever, we must stay informed, stay organized, and take action. Regardless of our documentation status, we must continue to train ourselves and our families and communities in our rights and civil liberties, share critical information, and protect everyone targeted by state repression—no matter their race, background, or whether we share their beliefs.
Mahmoud Khalil’s case is a warning, but it’s also a call to action. Our power is in our unity. Please take action to demand Khalil’s release at Demand the Immediate Release of Palestinian Student Activist Mahmoud Khalil from DHS detention. (Sign here)
While this may not be happening in Rockland County, it is crucial to recognize, as Rabbi Klein stated, that these policies and actions can affect any of us, our friends, employees, neighbors, or loved ones. Injustice and discrimination know no boundaries, which is why we must educate ourselves and our communities, remain vigilant, and be proactive. We strongly encourage you to take action by attending one of our Know Your Rights workshops, volunteering your time, or contributing to grassroots organizations like ours who are tirelessly working toward a more just, inclusive, and equitable future for all. Together, we can ensure that our communities are safe, supported, and empowered! Get involved by writing to info@proyectofarorockland.org.