Representative Ocasio-Cortez Joins NYS Assemblymember Valdez and NYC Council Member Avilés on Letter to DHS Calling for the Release of Mahmoud Khalil

Washington D.C.—Today, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) joined New York State Assemblymember Claire Valdez (D-37) and New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés (D-38) in a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem calling for the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil.

Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia graduate student and lawful permanent U.S. resident, was arrested by agents from the Department of Homeland Security at his Columbia University apartment on Saturday for his alleged involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. Shortly after his arrest, Khalil was transferred to an ICE facility in Louisiana where he is being detained without due process.

“The treatment of Mahmoud Khalil by the Department of Homeland Security is not only inhumane, it is a blatant violation of his legal rights. He has been separated illegally from his pregnant wife, who is a United States citizen, and detained without due process thousands of miles from home. We see these actions by the Trump administration for what they are—a flagrantly unconstitutional attempt to suppress free speech and incite fear,” wrote the lawmakers. 

The letter was also sent to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons and Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong and urged the university to cease any cooperation with immigration officials.

The full letter is available here.