Former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil filed a federal lawsuit in Manhattan on Tuesday against Trump administration officials and pro-Israel groups.
The suit, brought by the Center for Constitutional Rights, alleges a coordinated conspiracy to target and deport him for his advocacy.
According to the complaint, federal authorities collaborated with online surveillance organizations to identify specific targets.
The lawsuit claims the strategic coordination used a policy framework developed by a conservative think tank, identified as "Project Esther."
This policy proposal allegedly laid the groundwork for administrative actions, creating a "public-private partnership" between government actors and external entities.
The legal team asserts that administration officials worked "hand-in-hand" with outside groups to execute the plan.
The complaint further alleges the administration aimed to suppress constitutional expression and target advocates based on their identity.
It describes a systematic mechanism to process non-citizen academics and students, involving identification, arrest, and deportation.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Khalil emphasized that his case addresses systemic efforts to silence political dissent.
"This case is about far more than what was done to me.
It’s about a coordinated, ongoing campaign to punish, silence, and intimidate anyone who dares to speak out for Palestinian liberation," he said.
He added that the litigation aims to expose the network of organizations and political actors that criminalize solidarity with Palestine.
A White House spokesperson defended the administration's enforcement measures and cited discrepancies in Khalil's visa application.
"Those who lie to the government to obtain entry into the United States will face justice," the spokesperson said.
The Department of Homeland Security maintained that its personnel acted within legal boundaries and encouraged Khalil to self-deport via the CBP Home app.
The controversy intensified after one surveillance group claimed credit for submitting "thousands of names" to the government.
The group's activities have drawn scrutiny, leading to an inquiry into their operational methods, including alleged "violent conduct."
The lawsuit claims these groups compiled "deportation lists" for government officials.
Prior to the arrest, some federal officials argued that Khalil's political expression had "adverse foreign policy consequences," as argued by Marco Rubio.
Government authorities also asserted that his visa documentation contained "misrepresented" information.
During a prior trial, Homeland Security Investigations official Peter Hatch testified that his unit was directed to look at the Canary Mission website for individuals to target.
