JENA, La. (AP) — Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was released from federal immigration detention on Friday after 104 days, following a judge’s ruling that deemed him a symbol of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on campus protests. Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia University, left a federal facility in Louisiana and is expected to reunite with his U.S. citizen wife and infant son in New York.
Khalil expressed relief at his release, stating, “Justice prevailed, but it’s very long overdue. This shouldn’t have taken three months.” The Trump administration seeks to deport Khalil for his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests that led to his detention on March 8 in Manhattan. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered Khalil’s release, citing that he posed no flight risk or danger to the community.
Despite the government’s appeal of Khalil’s release, the judge’s decision stands. The Department of Homeland Security posted on social media that an immigration judge in Louisiana, Judge Jamee Comans, ordered Khalil’s removal, emphasizing that the decision lies within the jurisdiction of the immigration court rather than a district court. Khalil’s case has gained attention as the first arrest under Trump’s crackdown on students involved in campus protests against Israel.
Farbiarz ruled that Khalil cannot be deported solely based on potential harm to foreign policy due to his activism. However, the administration may pursue deportation on the grounds of alleged misrepresentation on Khalil’s green card application, a claim disputed by Khalil. The judge recognized Khalil’s right to free speech and due process, affirming that his detention impeded these rights without just cause.
Khalil, who played a prominent role in the Columbia protests as a negotiator and spokesperson, emphasized the importance of free speech and criticized the administration’s attempts to silence dissent by equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism. He maintained that detention for protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza is unjust. His experience in detention has opened his eyes to a different reality, shaping his perspective on the current situation.
A country that is said to uphold human rights, liberty, and justice. Whether you are a U.S. citizen, an immigrant, or simply a resident on this soil, you are all equal as humans,” he stated. He added that justice will prevail despite any attempts by the current administration to portray immigrants negatively. Khalil had to give up his passport and is unable to travel internationally, but he will regain his green card and receive official documents allowing limited travel within the country. This includes visits to New York and Michigan to see family, New Jersey and Louisiana for court appearances, and Washington for lobbying Congress. Following the judge’s decision, Khalil’s wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, expressed a sense of relief after her husband’s three months in detention. She acknowledged that while the ruling does not fully address the injustices inflicted by the Trump administration on their family and many others, they are happy to have Mahmoud back in New York with their small family. This ruling follows the release of several other scholars who were detained for their activism, including Mohsen Mahdawi, a former Palestinian student at Columbia, Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts University, and Badar Khan Suri from Georgetown University.
