Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, and seven current students filed a lawsuit against the school to block the production of student disciplinary records to a House committee that had demanded them. The lawsuit argued that complying with the committee’s request would violate the First Amendment rights of Khalil and the students, as well as the university’s obligation to protect student privacy. The current students requested to proceed anonymously in the lawsuit.
Last month, the House Committee on Education and Workforce sent a letter to Columbia University demanding disciplinary records connected to 11 incidents, including the student “takeover and occupation” of Hamilton Hall and protests against a class taught by Hillary Clinton and an Israeli history class. Khalil, a prominent figure in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, was then arrested by federal immigration agents and is currently being held in Louisiana. He has not been charged with any crime but has been accused by the Trump administration of siding with terrorists.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Khalil of participating in antisemitic activities and expressed support for Hamas. The White House has indicated that Khalil is the first of many individuals they plan to detain and deport. The lawsuit filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan names Columbia University, Barnard College, and the House Committee and its chairman, Representative Tim Walberg. The lawsuit argues that complying with the committee’s request would require turning over private files of hundreds of students, faculty, and staff, putting their personal privacy and safety at risk.
The lawsuit further claims that the committee’s hearings on campus antisemitism and requests for student information were an attempt to attack and harass individuals critical of Israel. Columbia University declined to comment on the pending litigation, and representatives for Barnard College and the House Committee did not immediately comment on the matter. The lawsuit argues that producing such information could lead to harassment and threats against individuals, calling it a politically charged investigation that jeopardizes the safety and privacy of those involved.
The House Committee’s demand for student disciplinary records has sparked a legal battle involving Khalil, current students, and Columbia University. The lawsuit seeks to block the production of such records, citing concerns about violating First Amendment rights and compromising student privacy. The Trump administration’s accusations against Khalil and plans to detain and deport him have added further complexities to the case. The lawsuit also alleges that the requests for student information are part of an attempt to attack and harass individuals critical of Israel, making it a politically charged investigation that poses risks to personal safety and privacy.
