Noor Abdalla, the wife of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist facing deportation, admitted that she was naive to think her husband wouldn’t be detained by immigration agents. In her first public comments since Khalil’s arrest, Abdalla shared that just days before his detention, Khalil had mentioned the possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers showing up at their door, a warning she didn’t take seriously at the time. Abdalla, a U.S. citizen and expecting their first child next month, expressed her regret for underestimating the situation.
Khalil, a 30-year-old green card holder, played a significant role in organizing pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, which sparked similar actions on campuses nationwide. The Trump administration has identified Khalil as “subject to removal from the United States,” citing potential adverse foreign policy consequences. Abdalla, 28, reminisced about meeting Khalil in Lebanon in 2016 and their long-distance relationship before marrying in 2023. She fears the prospect of Khalil missing the birth of their child due to his legal troubles.
Khalil, an Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent who grew up in a refugee camp in Syria, came to the U.S. on a student visa in 2022 and later obtained permanent residency. His recent arrest is seen as part of the administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism in universities. Abdalla, a dentist, attended a court hearing to challenge Khalil’s detention, arguing that it violates his free speech rights. A federal judge has temporarily blocked Khalil’s deportation pending further legal review.
The White House has accused Khalil of organizing disruptive protests on college campuses and promoting Hamas propaganda. Abdalla defended her husband’s activism, stating that he is passionate about Palestinian politics and fighting for his people. Attorney Amy Greer, representing Khalil, emphasized that his arrest violates constitutional rights and undermines the principles of due process.
“He disappeared without a trace and relocated across the country without informing anyone about the reasons, destination, method, or rationale,” she stated, noting that he had no contact with Hamas. Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently sent letters to 60 universities, including Columbia, threatening legal measures if they did not address instances of antisemitism during campus protests, as raised by Jewish organizations following events last year. Demonstrations this week, joined by Jewish student associations, are demanding Khalil’s prompt release.
