Mahmoud Khalil Released After Judicial Intervention

Mahmoud Khalil, an activist detained for participating in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, has been ordered released by a New Jersey court. A federal judge determined that the Trump administration’s prolonged detention, which lasted over three months, was unjustified and potentially retaliatory.

Outside the detention center, Khalil expressed his eagerness to reunite with his wife and son, stating, “My priority now is to get to my beautiful wife and precious son. We need to do that as soon as possible.” Wearing a keffiyeh and a green shirt, he criticized the three-month delay in his release, which he believed was unnecessary.

Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled that Khalil posed no flight risk or danger to the community, emphasizing, “He is not a threat, period, full stop.” Khalil’s wife, an American citizen, recently gave birth to their son while Khalil was detained, further underscoring his family ties in the U.S.

During a phone hearing, the judge expressed concern that the government might be holding Khalil in retaliation for his outspoken criticism of Israel. He noted, “There is at least something to the underlying claim that there is an effort to use the immigration charge here to punish Mr. Khalil,” adding, “And of course that would be unconstitutional.”

Khalil, a Syrian-born permanent resident, had been in custody since March 8 after being detained by immigration authorities. He argued that his detention infringed on his First Amendment rights. The judge highlighted that it was highly unusual to hold him, given his lack of flight risk and absence of violence charges.