Columbia University graduate and prominent pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was released from a Louisiana immigration detention center on Friday after a federal judge ruled his prolonged detention unconstitutional. The decision marks a significant victory for civil rights groups who argued the Trump administration unlawfully targeted Khalil for his activism.
“Justice prevailed, but it came far too late,” Khalil said upon his release in Jena, Louisiana. “This should never have taken three months.”
Khalil, a Syrian-born legal permanent resident of the U.S., was arrested on March 8 by immigration agents at his Manhattan university residence. His detention came weeks after former President Donald Trump vowed to deport foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, which he labeled antisemitic. Khalil, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, became the first high-profile target of this policy.
After more than 100 days in custody, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey ordered Khalil’s immediate release, rejecting the government’s claim that he posed a flight risk or danger to the public. The judge also raised concerns that immigration charges were being used to punish Khalil for his political speech—a violation of the First Amendment.
“There is at least something to the underlying claim that there is an effort to use the immigration charge here to punish the petitioner,” Farbiarz stated in his ruling.
Khalil’s case is part of a broader pattern of foreign students arrested for pro-Palestinian activism since March, many of whom have since been released by courts. Others, including Mohsen Mahdawi and Rumeysya Ozturk, faced similar detentions before judges intervened.
A Family Reunited
Khalil will now return to New York to reunite with his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, and their newborn son, who was born while he was detained.
“This ruling doesn’t undo the harm the Trump administration inflicted on our family and so many others,” Abdalla said in a statement. “But today, we celebrate Mahmoud’s homecoming and the community that stood by us as we fought for his freedom.”
Civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Amnesty International, hailed the decision as a defense of free speech.
“The government cannot abuse immigration law to silence dissent,” said Noor Zafar, senior staff attorney with the ACLU.
White House Condemns Release
The White House criticized the ruling, insisting Khalil should be deported for “conduct detrimental to American foreign policy interests” and alleged visa fraud.
“A New Jersey judge has no jurisdiction to override detention in Louisiana,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said. “We expect to prevail on appeal.”
Meanwhile, activists celebrated Khalil’s release as a win for justice—and a call to continue fighting for Palestinian rights and immigrant freedoms.
“Mahmoud Khalil is free. May his courage inspire us to keep fighting for liberation—from the U.S. to Palestine.” — Jewish Voice for Peace
(Updates include statements from advocacy groups and the White House.)
