Being detained for more than 100 days without charge with the threat of deportation looming over him did not break the spirit of Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil, he told CNN, but he can never forgive being prevented from being present at the birth of his son.

His complaint alleges he was falsely imprisoned, maliciously prosecuted and smeared as an anti-Semite. He said he either wants $20 million or an apology from the administration.