NEW: Mahmoud Khalil files $20 million claim against Trump admin, claims false imprisonment

On Thursday, Khalil filed a claim for restitution, claiming $20 million in damages from the Trump administration, alleging that he was falsely imprisoned and smeared as antisemitic after his visa was revoked and was then detained by immigration authorities, per the AP. This comes as his deportation case is making its way through the courts. He made the claims against the Department of Homeland Security and ICE that he was smeared as antisemitic.

“They are abusing their power because they think they are untouchable,” Khalil said of the situation. “Unless they feel there is some sort of accountability, it will continue to go unchecked."

The filing alleges that Trump as well as others in the administration mounted a campaign to “terrorize him and his family," and claimed that he was "effectively kidnapped" when arrested on March 8.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had revoked Khalil's visa back in March using a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allowing Rubio to "personally determines [if] the alien’s admission would compromise a compelling United States foreign policy interest." Khalil also failed to disclose that he had worked for the UNRWA on his visa application.

The UNRWA had funding from the US cut off in light of revelation that employees of the organization had participated in October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel. Khalil worked as a political affairs officer for the UNRWA between June and November 2023.

The Trump administration moved to deport Khalil, who had led pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Columbia. Khalil was released last from ICE custody earlier last month.