BREAKING: CAIR-NY, CAIR, Dratel and Lewis Announce Lawsuit on Behalf of Mahmoud Khalil, Others Against House Committee and Columbia U for Compelled Disclosure of Private Student Records
(NEW YORK, NY, 3/13/2025) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), CAIR’s national office and the law firm of Dratel & Lewis held a press conference today to announce the filing of a federal lawsuit on behalf of Columbia University students against Columbia University and the Committee on Education and Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives regarding the Congressional request to disclose thousands of student records.
SEE: Civil Lawsuit
SEE: Who is Mahmoud Khalil, Palestinian student activist facing US deportation?
Amy Greer, Esq. Dratel & Lewis Associate Stated:
"Columbia University's apparent willingness to comply with the Congressional request to disclose private student records sets a dangerous precedent that undermines academic freedom and student privacy. Our lawsuit seeks to protect the constitutional rights of students who should not be subjected to political intimidation or invasive government overreach. We will continue to fight for the privacy and dignity of all students."
Lamya Agarwala, Esq., CAIR-NY Supervising Attorney:
"We’re witnessing an escalation of longstanding tactics to suppress speech in support of Palestinian human rights. This case aims to prevent Columbia from turning into an arm of the federal government and do its bidding of suppressing speech it doesn’t like."
Gadeir Abbas, Esq., CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney:
"No student should fear that their private information will be handed over to politicians who seek to punish advocacy for Palestinian human rights. This legal action is a necessary step to push back against efforts to silence and surveil students exercising their First Amendment rights."
Hamid Bendaas, Communications Director at IMEU Policy Project Stated:
"Targeting student activists under the guise of federal investigations is a blatant attempt to suppress voices advocating for Palestinian rights. It is essential that institutions of higher learning resist external pressures that threaten free expression and academic inquiry."
CAIR-NY has previously published a press release condemning the wrongful arrest of Mahmoud Khalil and demanding his release. CAIR has also announced a call to action urging people to contact members of congress and demand Khalil’s release.
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, Calls for Immediate Release
SEE: CAIR Action Alert: Free Mahmoud Khalil
The Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) is an independent non-profit organization that provides journalists with quick access to information about Palestine and the Palestinians, as well as expert sources, both in the United States and in the Middle East. Both through its website and its staff, the IMEU works with journalists to increase the public's understanding about the socio-economic, political, and cultural aspects of Palestine, Palestinians, and Palestinian Americans.
Dratel & Lewis is an internationally recognized, full-service law firm. Established in 1996, with 60 years of combined experience, the firm has built a reputation for excellence in federal and New York State cases, including trial and appellate representation in criminal defense and civil litigation, as well as in extradition matters.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT:
Afaf Nasher, Esq., Executive Director, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006; CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com; Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR National Communications Director, ihooper@cair.com; Hamid Benaas, Communications Director IMEU Policy Project, hamid@imeupolicyproject.org, bookings@imeu.org, Dratel & Lewis Team, dl@dratellewis.com