After more than 100 days in ICE custody under the Trump administration's hardline immigration enforcement policies, Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil has returned to New York City. Khalil, a Palestinian rights advocate and former green card holder, was released from a detention center in Louisiana following a federal judge's order, as reported by Gothamist. He arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport, greeted by supporters, including U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Khalil's detention began after a series of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University which drew the attention of federal officials who used a seldom-cited immigration law provision. The provision allows for the deportation of individuals that allegedly threaten U.S. foreign policy interests, in Khalil's case, the Trump administration's anti-antisemitism efforts. According to a CBS News report, he was accused, without charges, of activities aligned with Hamas, a perspective the government appeared intent on suppressing.
In a statement obtained by CBS News, Khalil expressed his resolve, "If they threaten me with detention, even if they would kill me, I would still speak up for Palestine." This sentiment reflected his commitment to continuing advocacy work despite the challenges he faced while detained.
In correspondence with Gothamist, Khalil emphasized, "Whether you are a citizen, an immigrant, anyone on this land, you’re not illegal. That doesn't make you less of a human," commenting on the administration's approach to immigration and its impact on individuals' humanity.
The Department of Homeland Security had contested the judge’s authority to release Khalil, sparking further discussion about judicial influence and the scope of immigration enforcement. In a public confrontation with these views, Ocasio-Cortez told supporters that Khalil's detainment trampled on his First Amendment rights and that his case was "a violation of his first amendment rights. It is an affront to every American, and we will not allow and we will continue to resist the politicization and the continued political persecution that ICE is engaged in," Gothamist reported. Khalil's case and others like it have raised questions about the balance between national security, immigration policy, and free speech.
Khalil was in detention during the birth of his first child, reflecting the personal consequences associated with immigration enforcement actions. U.S. District Judge Michael Fabiarz, in ordering his release, described the basis for detention as unusual and noted concerns about the government's response to his political expression. Khalil’s case, along with others involving activists in similar circumstances, has contributed to public demonstrations and broader discussions about immigration policy and free speech. Legal proceedings related to his case are ongoing.
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