JENA, La. — On Friday, June 20, 2025, Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil was released from a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Jena, Louisiana, after spending 104 days in custody. The release followed a federal judge’s ruling that ordered the U.S. government to free Khalil, marking a significant victory for advocates who argued his detention was an unlawful retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism.
Khalil, a legal U.S. resident originally from Syria, was arrested on March 8, 2025, outside his apartment on Columbia University’s campus in Manhattan. His detention stemmed from his prominent role in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s war on Gaza, where he served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists. Although Khalil was not arrested during the protests and faces no criminal charges, the Trump administration sought to deport him, citing allegations of false information on his green card application and claiming his activism posed “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz in Newark, New Jersey, ruled that Khalil’s detention was likely unconstitutional, emphasizing that the government could not detain or deport him based on his protected free speech activities. The judge noted that Khalil has no criminal record and presented no evidence of involvement in violence or property destruction, declaring him “not a danger to the community – period.” Farbiarz also rejected the government’s claim that Khalil was a flight risk or national security threat, ordering his release on bail while his immigration and civil cases proceed.
The Trump administration, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, had invoked an obscure provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act to justify Khalil’s detention, alleging his leadership in campus protests disrupted U.S. foreign policy. However, Judge Farbiarz ruled earlier in June that this justification violated Khalil’s First Amendment rights. Despite the ruling, the administration filed an appeal on Friday evening, challenging both the release order and the earlier decision barring Khalil’s detention based on Rubio’s determination.
Khalil’s release was met with celebration from his family and supporters. His wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, expressed relief in a statement provided by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represented Khalil: “After more than three months, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief and know that Mahmoud is on his way home to me and Deen, who never should have been separated from his father.” Abdalla, a U.S. citizen, gave birth to their son while Khalil was detained, and ICE had previously denied his request for temporary release to attend the delivery.
Speaking to reporters outside the detention facility, Khalil described his release as bittersweet, expressing excitement to reunite with his newborn son but condemning the Trump administration’s actions. “Trump and his administration, they chose the wrong person for this,” Khalil said. “There’s no right person who should be detained for actually protesting a genocide.” He emphasized that his detention was a test of the executive branch’s power to target legal U.S. residents for their political beliefs.
The ACLU hailed the ruling as a defense of First Amendment principles. “The government cannot abuse immigration law to punish speech it disfavors,” said Noor Zafar, one of Khalil’s attorneys. Amnesty International USA also celebrated the decision, calling it “overdue” and urging the Trump administration to comply with the court’s order.
Khalil’s case has drawn significant attention as part of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism, with critics arguing it sets a dangerous precedent for free speech. Posts on X reflect polarized sentiments, with some users celebrating Khalil’s release as a victory for justice, while others have labeled him a security threat without substantiated evidence.
Under the terms of his release, Khalil is restricted from leaving the United States except for “self-deportation” and faces limitations on domestic travel. He is expected to return to New York to reunite with his family while his legal battles continue. The case remains a flashpoint in debates over immigration policy, free speech, and U.S. foreign relations.
