Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, whose role in campus protests against Israel led to his detention in immigration jail, is seeking $20 million in damages.

The legal claim marks a significant step toward potential civil litigation and comes as Khalil's case continues in immigration court.

Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist who was detained by U.S. immigration authorities for more than 100 days, is seeking $20 million from the Trump administration over what he says was his false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.