Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Released After Detention
Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil has been set free following a 104-day detention by U.S. immigration authorities. Despite his legal residency status and no violent crime allegations, his activism on behalf of Palestinians drew the attention of ICE on March 8th, turning him into a symbol of Donald Trump’s heavy-handed approach towards student protests.
Upon his release in Louisiana, Khalil voiced his belief in universal human rights regardless of citizenship. He is now set to reunite with his wife and newborn son in New York, though the Trump administration is pursuing an appeal against his release, arguing for his deportation due to his involvement in protests.
Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled that Khalil’s continued detention would be highly unusual, given his lack of flight risk and unproven accusations. The decision comes amidst a broader context where highly publicized cases of detained activists, such as Rumeysa Ozturk and Badar Khan Suri, have also seen releases. The controversy sparks discussions on balancing national security with civil liberties, escalating as civil rights organizations argue against the conflation of anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel.
(Note: This rewritten content aims to provide a more concise narrative without added commentary or extraneous details. It summarizes the essential elements of the original article focusing on key points, such as Khalil’s release, the political context, the court’s decision, and its implications for broader debates on civil rights and immigration policy.)
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/mahmoud-khalil-us-student-detained-by-immigration-officials-over-pro-palestinian-protests-released-13386603
