Palestinian-American activist Mahmoud Khalil, freed just days ago from over 100 days in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, has swiftly returned to the front lines — leading a protest at Columbia University in support of Palestinian rights.
Khalil was released on June 20 after a federal judge in New Jersey ruled his prolonged detention—on tenuous grounds tied to political advocacy—likely violated his constitutional rights. The judge also criticized the government’s reliance on vague national-security provisions to justify holding a green-card holder without criminal charges.
Upon his release from the Jena, Louisiana, ICE facility, Khalil flew back to New York. He was greeted by his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, and their newborn son.
Within 48 hours, he was back near Columbia’s campus, presiding over a rally to protest what he called “Columbia’s punitive measures” against pro-Palestinian student activists. He accused the university of expelling or suspending dozens of students for exercising free speech and demanded greater solidarity in the face of war in Gaza.
“We are here: Free, Free Palestine,” Khalil declared, referring to the institution’s alleged attempts to suppress dissent.
Khalil’s detention ignited a wave of legal and public pushback, notably from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who defended his First Amendment rights. The Trump administration has appealed the release order, with Homeland Security asserting that Khalil’s activism intersects with hostile foreign policy interests. Despite legal battles and deportation threats, Khalil emerged resolute:
“If they threaten me with detention, even if they would kill me, I would still speak up for Palestine.”
Following his return, Khalil reiterated his commitment to pro-Palestinian advocacy, asserting his efforts should be protected, not punished. He remains free under a judge-set travel restriction to New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Washington, D.C., and Louisiana while facing ongoing legal proceedings
