Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and vocal pro-Palestinian activist, was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Louisiana on Friday evening. He arrived at Newark Airport on Saturday afternoon, where he was met by a small crowd of cheering supporters and members of his legal team, along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Khalil, who was targeted by the Trump administration due to his political beliefs, addressed the crowd upon his release. “The fact that they put me in that place, that didn’t mean I was not free,” he stated, emphasizing his ongoing commitment to advocate for Palestinians and immigrants that remain in detention facilities.
Spending over three months at the Jena, Louisiana detention center, Khalil missed the birth of his first child during his confinement. “This is what the administration is trying to do, to dehumanize me, to dehumanize the immigrants, to dehumanize anyone who actually does not agree with the administration,” he added passionately.
Accompanied by Ocasio-Cortez, who welcomed Khalil on behalf of New Yorkers, the congresswoman highlighted the troubling nature of his detention. Ocasio-Cortez stated, “He was held in prison for 104 days by the Trump administration with no grounds and for political reasons. This is illegal, it is a violation of his First Amendment rights, and it is an affront to every American.”
Khalil raised his fist in the air, chanting “Free Palestine,” before finally reuniting with his wife Noor and their newborn baby Deen at the airport. Noor had given birth without Khalil’s presence, marking this emotional reunion as only the second time he had seen his child in person.
His release came about a day after U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz ordered Khalil’s release on bail while he continues to fight the government’s deportation case against him in immigration court in Louisiana. As part of the bail conditions, he must surrender his passport and can only travel to specific locations for court hearings and legislative purposes.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not take the ruling lightly, publicly denouncing Judge Farbiarz’s decision. The DHS labeled the judge as a “rogue district judge” and argued that only an immigration judge has the authority regarding Khalil’s detention status. Following the ruling, the administration quickly filed an appeal to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
A statement from the DHS asserted, “It is a privilege to be granted a visa or green card to live and study in the United States of America. The Trump administration acted well within its statutory and constitutional authority to detain Khalil, as it does with any alien who advocates for violence, glorifies and supports terrorists, harasses Jews and damages property.”
In contrast, Baher Azmy, the legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights and a member of Khalil’s legal team, dismissed the government’s stance. He stated that it reflects a lack of understanding about constitutional rights and democracy. “A federal judge reviewed the constitutional arguments presented and did what a federal judge is supposed to do,” he remarked during a post-release press conference.
Khalil is married to a U.S. citizen and held a valid green card at the time of his arrest. His case has drawn both national and international attention, especially since he was arrested inside his campus housing without a warrant on March 8. In recent months, the Trump administration has increasingly targeted pro-Palestinian activists, leading to a broader crackdown on students and professors.
During Khalil’s detention, other prominent figures such as fellow Columbia student activist Mohsen Mahdawi and Tufts Ph.D. student Rümeysa Öztürk were also arrested. Each has since been ordered released by federal judges. Others have faced significant backlash, with some fleeing the country or going into hiding.
As Khalil prepares to join supporters at a rally near Columbia University on Sunday afternoon, the ongoing legal battle with the Trump administration continues to unfold. Khalil’s future remains uncertain as the government investigates allegations of deception on his green card application, claims the judge ruled did not warrant his continued detention.
The current political climate surrounding Khalil’s case represents a critical juncture for the intersection of advocacy, immigration law, and civil liberties in the United States. As the Biden administration moves forward, Khalil’s struggle symbolizes broader issues of free speech and immigrant rights.
image source from：thecity
