Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Released on Bail

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Photo: AP

A federal judge decided that Mahmoud was not a danger to his community and should not be kept in custody while his immigration case continues. He had been held for 104 days by immigration officers.

Mahmoud was one of the leading voices in the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University last year. He was arrested on March 8, which led to protests in cities like New York and Washington, D.C.

After his release from a detention center in Louisiana, Mahmoud spoke to reporters. He said the Trump administration had made a mistake by targeting him:
“They chose the wrong person,” he said. He was excited to finally see his wife and his newborn son, Deen, who was born while he was in jail.
“The only time I saw my son was during a short one-hour visit the government allowed,” he shared.
“Now I can finally hug him and my wife without watching the clock.”

Mahmoud strongly criticized the government for trying to punish him for speaking out against what he called "a genocide" happening in Gaza. He didn’t mention Israel or Jewish people in his statements. Israel has denied all accusations of genocide.

The U.S. government, led by the Trump administration, says Mahmoud’s actions go against America’s foreign policy and wants him deported. A White House spokeswoman, Abigail Jackson, claimed that Mahmoud had been involved in “fraud and misrepresentation” and harmed U.S. foreign interests. She also said that the judge didn’t have the right to order his release.

“We expect to win on appeal and remove Khalil from the U.S.,” she added.

Mahmoud, who is a legal permanent resident, actually finished his Columbia University degree while in detention. Since he couldn’t attend his graduation, his wife accepted his diploma on his behalf.

Interestingly, the government never charged Mahmoud with any crime. Instead, they said he didn’t give full information in his green card application back in 2024. They tried to use a special part of immigration law to say that his presence in the U.S. was bad for foreign policy.

However, Judge Michael Farbiarz said that argument was likely unconstitutional. He felt it was unfair to jail Mahmoud for his role in peaceful protests. He even called the charges “highly unusual.”

Judge Farbiarz also said it looked like the government was trying to punish Mahmoud for speaking out, not for any real immigration issue. He added that it’s very rare for a green card holder like Mahmoud to be locked up over such a small issue.

Under the release terms, Mahmoud can’t leave the country, but he’s allowed to travel within parts of the U.S.—including New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Louisiana—for court or legal meetings. He can also go to Washington, D.C. for lobbying and advocacy work.

His passport will stay with the government, but he will receive official copies to use for ID. He also won’t need to wear an ankle monitor.

Alina Das, a lawyer from NYU who helped fight for Mahmoud’s release, said:
“No one in America should fear going to jail just for speaking up.”

Mahmoud’s wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, said she was thankful to finally have him back.
“After more than three months, we can finally breathe again,” she said.
“Mahmoud is coming home to me and our baby, Deen. They should never have been kept apart.”

Now that Mahmoud is free, he plans to continue fighting his case—and spend time with the family he was kept away from for far too long.