BREAKING: Judge Orders Mahmoud Khalil Freed from ICE Detention
Columbia Protester Mahmoud Khalil Freed from Detention Center
After more than three months in immigration custody, Mahmoud Khalil—an outspoken graduate student and permanent U.S. resident—has been ordered released by a federal judge. The ruling marks a major win for civil liberties advocates following widespread concern over the use of immigration enforcement against campus protesters.
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled that Khalil poses no danger to the public or risk of flight, clearing the way for his release from a Louisiana detention center.
“We Can Finally Breathe”: A Family Reunited
Khalil’s detention separated him from his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, and their newborn son, Deen, who was born just weeks after Khalil’s arrest.
“After more than three months, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief… But today we are celebrating Mahmoud coming back to New York to be reunited with our little family.”
— Dr. Noor Abdalla, Mahmoud Khalil’s wife
Her statement captures both the emotional cost of Khalil’s detention and the deep relief at his release. Civil rights groups had previously warned that his case set a dangerous precedent for criminalizing dissent, particularly among immigrant communities.
What Happens Next — and Why This Case Matters
Khalil will be allowed to return to New York, where he’ll reunite with his family and continue fighting his immigration case. Though he must surrender his passport, he retains domestic travel rights to attend hearings and see his family.
This ruling is more than a legal victory — it’s a moment of reckoning. It highlights how immigration law can be wielded to suppress political activism and tests the limits of free speech protections for non-citizens in the U.S.
Advocacy organizations like the ACLU and Center for Constitutional Rights are expected to continue pushing for Khalil’s full vindication and justice for others facing deportation for speaking out.