Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and prominent pro-Palestinian activist, walked free from a Louisiana immigrant detention centre on Friday after a federal judge ordered his release, calling his three-month detention an unconstitutional use of immigration law to punish political speech.
“Although justice prevailed, it’s very long overdue,” Khalil said outside the rural facility in Jena, Louisiana. “This shouldn’t have taken three months.”
Khalil was arrested by immigration agents on March 8 in Manhattan amid a crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump on foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Trump has labelled the demonstrations antisemitic and vowed to deport participants, making Khalil the first public target of this policy.
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled Friday that the Department of Homeland Security had not proven Khalil was a flight risk or public danger. He also suggested Khalil’s arrest appeared to be politically motivated, stating that punishing someone over a civil immigration matter was likely unconstitutional.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which backed Khalil, said the ruling reaffirmed key First Amendment protections. “The government cannot abuse immigration law to punish speech it disfavors,” said ACLU attorney Noor Zafar.
Khalil, a legal permanent resident, has denied any wrongdoing. He and his legal team say he was targeted for his public criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza, and that his detention violated his right to free expression. He had previously condemned antisemitism and racism in public interviews.
His wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, welcomed the ruling but said it only addresses the harm caused. Khalil missed the birth of their son during his 104 days in detention. “Today we are celebrating Mahmoud coming back to our little family and the community that has supported us since the day he was unjustly taken,” she said.
Despite the ruling, immigration proceedings against Khalil continue. The White House sharply criticized the decision, calling Khalil a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing him of fraudulently obtaining a student visa. “We expect to be vindicated on appeal,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson.
Wearing a keffiyeh and raising his fist, Khalil denounced what he called Trump’s racist immigration policies and pledged to speak out for those still detained. “No one is illegal. No human is illegal,” he said. “Once you enter there, you see a different reality — a different reality about this country that supposedly champions human rights and liberty.”
Earlier this month, Judge Farbiarz blocked Khalil’s deportation while he considers a constitutional challenge to the government’s actions. The Trump administration claims Khalil withheld information on his permanent residency application, a charge his lawyers say is rarely grounds for detention.
Farbiarz called the government’s approach highly unusual and said Khalil’s detention appeared intended to silence dissent.