In an emotional moment that cut through the legal intricacies of U.S. immigration policies, detained Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, held his 1-month-old son Deen for the first time without barriers. This was made possible after Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey issued an order blocking the Trump administration's attempt to enforce a plexiglass separation during the visit, as reported by NBC New York.
The circumstances surrounding Khalil's detention have been fraught with controversy. As a legal permanent resident and Columbia University graduate, Khalil has been behind bars in a Louisiana jail since March 8. This follows President Donald Trump's vowed crackdowns on pro-Palestinian protesters, Khalil's case has become a flashpoint due to claims that his advocacy work may have undermined U.S. foreign policy interests. A request for Khalil to attend his son's birth was denied by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, setting the stage for the emotional legal battle leading up to this poignant visitation, according to AP News.
In defense of their stance, Justice Department officials argued that allowing Khalil to hold his son would be granting him "a privilege that no other detainee receives," as detailed by AP News. The contention was that Dr. Abdalla, Khalil's wife, and the newborn participating in a legal visit would convert it into a family one, which they opposed. However, the judge's order permitted the family to have a contact visit on Thursday morning, which attorney's said was crucial for the family's emotional well-being.
The story of Khalil's struggle has received significant attention, with Columbia University's community voicing their support. His character has been endorsed robustly by members of the faculty and students, with a classics professor at Columbia describing Khalil as an "upstanding, principled, and well-respected member of our community." In one declaration, Joseph Howley detailed his interactions with Khalil, emphasizing that he rejects antisemitism in any form. This support, however, was met with mixed reactions at Columbia's commencement ceremony, where interim president Claire Shipman's acknowledgment of Khalil's absence prompted both boos and chants from the audience, "free Mahmoud," NBC New York reported.
The legal battles are not over for Mahmoud Khalil. His petition for release is under consideration, with the immigration judge setting a deadline for written closing arguments in his case. The outcome remains to be seen as attorneys gather further testimonies about the dangers Khalil might face if deported. No decision in the appeal was reached on Thursday, which prolongs the uncertainty for Khalil and his family.
