Former Columbia University student and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil released from detention after 104 days of federal immigration detention.
After release from a federal facility in Louisiana on Frida Khalil, who is a legal U.S. resident, is on his way to New York for a family reunion.
“Justice prevailed, but it’s very long overdue…this shouldn’t have taken three months,” said Khali,, whose American citizen wife gave birth to their son while he was detained.
Khalil is facing deportation as President Trump’s Administration has argued since his March 8 detention that his participation in protests represents antisemitism and he is deemed an obstacle in the way of U.S. foreign policy pursuit. Mahmoud Khalil released from detention
After more than three months unjustly detained by the Trump administration, Mahmoud Khalil is finally free. He can go home, hug his wife, and hold his baby. He never should’ve been detained. As we celebrate his release, we will never stop working to defend human rights –… pic.twitter.com/jrc032iC5J
— Amnesty International USA (@amnestyusa) June 21, 2025
Amnesty International welcomed Khalil’s release.
Dr. Noor Abdalla, Khalil’s wife, welcomed Khalil’s release with a sigh of relief.
“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, she said.
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered Khalil’s release, saying his continued detention without any charges would be “highly, highly unusual.”
The U.S. Administration said it would appeal Khalil’s release order.
