A high profile Palestinian rights activist has filed a federal lawsuit against senior Trump administration officials, accusing them of coordinating with anti Palestinian advocacy groups in the months leading up to his controversial arrest by U.S. immigration authorities. Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by ICE earlier this year following pro Palestinian protests at Columbia University, alleges that the government worked behind the scenes with outside organisations to build a political case against him.

Khalil’s suit demands the release of internal communications between the administration and several groups he says contributed to what he calls a smear and harassment campaign. The complaint argues that the activist’s detention was not based on immigration concerns but on political pressure linked to his participation in the student protest movement that swept U.S. campuses in early 2025.

Khalil was taken into custody in March after participating in demonstrations that called attention to civilian casualties in Gaza. His lawyers argue that the timing of the arrest, as well as the alleged involvement of politically aligned groups, raises serious questions about the government’s motives and the extent to which immigration enforcement was used as a tool of political retaliation.

The lawsuit adds to a broader national debate about the treatment of pro Palestinian activists during the Trump administration, particularly amid rising campus tensions and heightened scrutiny of student movements. Civil liberties advocates say the case could set an important precedent by forcing the government to disclose how much influence external political actors may have had over immigration decisions.

The administration has not commented on the specifics of the lawsuit. ICE officials previously denied targeting Khalil for his political views, saying only that his detention was consistent with federal enforcement priorities. Advocacy groups, however, insist the case reflects a wider pattern where activism related to Middle East issues has come under intensified government scrutiny.

Khalil’s legal team says the goal is not only to clear his name but to reveal whether federal officials engaged in coordinated efforts with private organisations to shape law enforcement outcomes. They argue that transparency is essential given the implications for protest rights and the potential chilling effect on political expression in the United States.

As the case moves forward, it is likely to draw significant attention from rights groups and legal observers tracking the boundaries between national security, immigration enforcement and political activism in an increasingly polarised climate.