New Delhi: Mahmood Khalil, a Palestinian rights advocate and a Columbia University graduate, was released on Saturday after spending three months in US immigration detention. He reunited with his wife and infant son at Newark Airport in New Jersey. The 30-year-old’s detention was declared unconstitutional by a federal judge in the Louisiana facility.
As he landed at Newark Airport, he met his wife Noor Abdella, his son Deen and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
‘Even if they threaten me, I’ll speak up’: Khalil
Khalil is a well-known pro-Palestinian students who was targeted by the US government during Israel’s war against Gaza. He was arrested in March by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when his wife Noor was pregnant.
During a press conference at the airport, Khalil asserted that his fight for Palestinians won’t stop even if he receives threats. “If they threaten me with detention, even if they kill me, I would still speak up for Palestine,” he added.
JUST NOW: Mahmoud Khalil is reunited with his wife Dr. Noor Abdalla and his infant son Deen, as well as his friends, upon landing in New Jersey.
After 104 days in detention, Mahmoud Khalil is home.@DropSiteNews pic.twitter.com/7BLaTGjKtI
— Meghnad Bose (@MeghnadBose93) June 21, 2025
Khalil further asserted, “I just want to go back and continue the work I was already doing, advocating for Palestinian rights, a speech that should actually be celebrated rather than punished.”
“No man is illegal, no human is illegal,” he said. “Justice will prevail, no matter what this administration may try,” added Khalil.
Khalil’s detention unconstitutional: Judge
The federal judge Michael Farbiarz stated that the US government has failed to prove that Khalil is a potential risk or danger. “He is not a danger to society,” Farbiarz added.
According to NBC, the judge asserted that detaining someone over civil immigration amounts to unconstitutional punishment. A notice of appeal is filed by the Trump administration.
Khalil, after his release, asserted, “Trump and his administration, they chose the wrong person for this. That does not mean there is a right person for this. There is no right person who should be detained for protesting a genocide.”
According to The Independent, Khalil had to surrender his passport and green card during his release. He is also directed to stay in specific states such as New York, Louisiana, and Michigan, informing the authorities about his address within 48 hours.
Khalil’s release was backed by continuous pressure and legal efforts. The Jewish students and faculties also provided their support to him. The man was previously said to have acted as a bridge between the Jewish and pro-Palestinian students during campus protests.
