Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident and graduate student at Columbia University, has been released on bail after spending 104 days in a Louisiana immigration detention center.
Khalil’s case has garnered significant attention as he has become a symbol of the Trump administration’s crackdown on student protesters opposing U.S. support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
He was the first of several students detained across the country and faced threats of deportation.
Khalil was arrested by immigration agents outside his home in New York City in early March and subsequently taken to Louisiana.
While other students were released, Khalil remained detained longer than expected.
He missed the birth of his first child during this time, a situation that has amplified the emotional impact of his detention.
Upon his return to New Jersey over the weekend, he was met with cheers from supporters, raising his fist in triumph.
Khalil is now reunited with his family in New York and spoke to Morning Edition host Leila Fadel about his experiences from arrest to detention, as well as his views on why he believes he was specifically targeted for protesting U.S. policies regarding Gaza.
In the interview, Khalil described his arrest as feeling like kidnapping.
He recalled how plainclothes agents in unmarked vehicles did not identify themselves and claimed they had an arrest warrant, which they never showed him.
“I only knew that I was flying to Louisiana the moment we boarded the plane,” he said, emphasizing the terrifying uncertainty of the situation.
Khalil recounted the harsh conditions inside the detention center, noting that he struggled to eat during the first week due to the inedible food and uncomfortable temperatures.
With only one blanket provided in a room shared with over 70 men, he highlighted the lack of privacy and the confusion felt by many detainees about their circumstances.
Many detainees, despite being undocumented, were left wondering why they were subjected to indefinite detention.
Khalil also expressed devastation over missing the birth of his son, Deen.
He revealed that after a month of pressure, he was finally allowed to hold his son for just one hour, a moment laden with mixed emotions.
“It felt like a daydream,” Khalil described the experience, expressing both joy and sorrow.
Reflecting on his ordeal, he felt a sense of victory against what he termed the administration’s efforts to separate him from his family.
“It’s not just about Palestine,” Khalil stated.
“Their goal was to chill speech that opposes government actions, and they weaponized the immigration system against me.”
Khalil emphasized the hypocrisy he believes the government is trying to hide regarding its stance on human rights and self-determination.
Fadel, the host, highlighted that the Department of Homeland Security has indicated it filed an appeal regarding Khalil’s release, a move that adds another layer of complexity to his legal situation.
Despite the lack of formal accusations against him in court regarding breaking any laws, officials from the Trump administration have made claims that Khalil is involved in antisemitic activities or is supporting Hamas.
Khalil challenged these assertions, claiming the administration had provided no evidence to substantiate their allegations.
“Show us the photos,” he urged, further emphasizing that the government is relying on hateful rhetoric rather than factual evidence.
Khalil noted that while he was in detention, the administration restricted his access to media, understanding the impact his voice could have in countering their narrative.
Requests for interviews with him were either denied or ignored during his time in detention, compelling him to share his story through alternative means like reciting op-eds over the phone.
“And now I can defend myself,” he stated, determined to ensure accountability for those who contributed to his arrest.
Khalil is now set on a long legal path ahead, asserting that his release is just the beginning, as he prepares to confront the deportation efforts against him.
He aims to prove that his experiences constitute retaliation against First Amendment rights due to his protests, emphasizing that there was nothing wrong with the speech he was engaged in prior to his detention.
“I will fight to stay with my family,” Khalil declared, accentuating that no one should be separated from their loved ones.
He also criticized the use of U.S. tax dollars in conflicts abroad, which he argued results in the suffering of families both overseas and back home.
Tricia McLaughlin, the Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, has maintained that Khalil’s detention was lawful, a stance currently being contested in court.
In her statement, she advised Khalil to consider self-deportation using available government programs, suggesting that he could receive financial assistance for doing so.
On the other hand, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson indicated an expectation to be vindicated in the appeals process, expressing a desire to remove Khalil from the United States.
The ongoing legal battle surrounding Khalil’s case highlights broader concerns about immigration policies and the treatment of protestors under the current administration.
image source from：npr
