Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Released on Bail

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was released from a Louisiana ICE detention center after spending over three months in custody. Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and Columbia University graduate, was arrested in March and held on immigration charges. A judge ordered his release on bail, finding that he was not a flight risk or a danger to public safety, and citing "extraordinary circumstances" in his case, including the government's effort to punish him for his activism. Khalil's lawyers argued that his detention was an attempt to silence him and chill the speech of others. He was released with conditions, including surrendering his passport and limiting his travel. Khalil's immigration proceedings will continue, and his lawyers plan to appeal the immigration judge's ruling that he is removable.

A federal judge in New Jersey has ordered the release of Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil on bail after he was detained by ICE agents in March for his pro-Palestinian activism. Khalil, a legal permanent resident married to a U.S. citizen, was arrested and held at a detention center in Louisiana. The judge ruled that the government's attempt to detain Khalil was "highly unusual" and likely violated the Constitution, as it appeared to be an effort to punish him for his activism. Khalil was released on Friday evening with conditions, including surrendering his passport and not traveling outside of certain states, and is expected to reunite with his wife and two-month-old son in New York.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestinian campus protester, was released on bail after 104 days in detention. Khalil's lawyers convinced a judge that the Trump administration was retaliating against him for his role in demonstrations, and the judge ruled that there was "at least something" to the argument that the administration had used an immigration charge to punish Khalil, which would be unconstitutional. The Trump administration appealed the decision, but Khalil was freed and expressed concern for others remaining detained, stating "No one is illegal — no human is illegal. Justice will prevail no matter what this administration may try." The administration's campaign to detain pro-Palestinian student protesters has been largely unsuccessful in court, but may have achieved its goal of suppressing pro-Palestinian speech.