Mahmoud Khalil Released After Court Orders Department of Homeland Security to Free Him

Mahmoud Khalil, a university protester and vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, was released from detention after a judge ordered his immediate release. Khalil had been held in a Louisiana facility for nearly three months following his arrest on immigration charges.

Wearing a keffiyeh and green shirt, Khalil expressed relief and eagerness to reunite with his wife and young son, who was born during his detention. “My priority now is to get to my wife and son as soon as possible,” he said outside the detention center.

The federal judge, Michael Farbiarz, ruled that Khalil’s continued detention appeared retaliatory, likely linked to his outspoken criticisms of Israel, which the judge deemed unconstitutional. The court found that Khalil posed no flight risk or danger to the community, emphasizing his low risk of fleeing and lack of violent charges.

The judge also highlighted concerns that Khalil’s detention might be an attempt to silence his activism, noting that such actions in retaliation for free expression are unlawful. Khalil, a permanent resident born in Syria, had been fighting his detention, claiming it infringed on his free speech rights. The court indicated Khalil should be released by Friday.

Khalil’s legal situation was complicated by political pressures, notably from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who sought to deport him under laws citing threats to U.S. foreign policy interests. Despite previous rulings dismissing these claims, the government had claimed Khalil potentially lied on his green card application, an allegation Khalil strongly denies.

During protests last year, Khalil was the primary negotiator for Columbia United Apartheid Divest and was the first student targeted by the Trump administration over accusations of antisemitism linked to campus activism.