mahmoud Khalil Freed After Detention

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian rights advocate, was released from U.S. immigration detention after more than three months. the Columbia University graduate​ reunited with his wife and son after⁢ a​ federal judge deemed his detention unconstitutional.

Khalil,‌ a legal U.S. resident, arrived at Newark Airport in new ‌Jersey on Saturday, greeted by supporters, his wife Noor Abdalla, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He was seen ‍pushing his son Deen in⁣ a stroller, a Palestinian keffiyeh draped over his shoulders.

The 30-year-old Khalil, who faced no criminal ⁣charges, was arrested by ICE agents in March ⁤in front of his pregnant wife.‍ He was among ​pro-Palestinian students allegedly targeted during campus protests against Israel’s war on Gaza.

“If they threaten⁤ me with​ detention, even if they would kill me, I would still‍ speak⁣ up‍ for Palestine,” Khalil said‍ at a press conference at the airport. he added that ​he wants to continue advocating for⁤ Palestinian rights, “a speech that should actually be celebrated rather than punished.”

Judge ⁤Michael Farbiarz ruled that the government failed to prove Khalil was a flight ⁢risk or a danger.‌ “He is not a danger to the community. Period, full stop,” Farbiarz said. He added that ‌detaining ⁤someone over a civil immigration matter⁣ was unconstitutional. ‌NBC reports that the Trump ​governance has filed a notice of appeal.

Khalil’s release followed public pressure and legal efforts, including support from Jewish students and⁣ faculty at Columbia University. In ⁢2024, Khalil ‌acted as a negotiator between Jewish and pro-Palestinian student groups‍ during ‌campus protests.

During a CNN appearance,‍ Khalil ⁢said, “The‍ liberation ‍of the Palestinian‌ people and the Jewish people are intertwined and go hand-by-hand, and you⁣ cannot achieve one⁤ without the other.”

While in custody, ⁣Khalil missed the birth of his son, his ‌graduation, Mother’s Day, and ​Father’s Day.He ​was only briefly allowed to see his newborn once in June.

Ocasio-Cortez said, “This is not over, and we will ⁤have to continue to support ​this case. The persecution based on political speech is wrong, and it is ⁤a violation of all ⁢of our First Amendment rights, not​ just‌ Mahmoud’s.”

Upon his release, Khalil ⁢stated, “Trump and his administration, they chose the wrong person for this. That doesn’t mean ther is a right person⁤ for this. There is no right person who should be detained for actually protesting a⁤ genocide.”

He added,”No one ​is illegal – no ⁤human is illegal. Justice will prevail no matter what this administration may try.”

As part of his release, Khalil surrendered his passport and⁤ green card and must ⁢stay within specific⁤ states, including New York, Michigan, and Louisiana, notifying ‍authorities of ⁢his address within 48 ‌hours, ‌according ‍to the Self-reliant.

What’s next

A rally celebrating mahmoud Khalil’s release and demanding freedom for other detained immigrants and Palestinians is ​scheduled for Sunday evening at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in manhattan.