Mahmoud Khalil Detained by ICE Denied Access to Newborn Son Amid Controversial Deportation Case

Mahmoud Khalil, who graduated from Columbia University, has found himself at the center of a contentious legal battle after being arrested by immigration authorities for his involvement in pro-Palestine protests on campus. His detention, which began with an arrest in front of his pregnant wife, Noor Abdalla, has resulted in his green card being revoked and his transfer to an ICE facility in Louisiana, far from his home in New York City. Despite multiple requests from his legal team for temporary release to attend the birth of his son, these pleas have been denied by ICE.

Noor Abdalla gave birth to their son on April 21, and she expressed deep sorrow over the separation, stating that ICE's decision has caused suffering for both her and Mahmoud, affecting their ability to bond during this critical time. She continues to advocate for his release, believing that once freed, Mahmoud will impart values of bravery and compassion to their son, reflecting his own character.

On April 11, a Louisiana immigration judge ruled that Khalil could be deported based on allegations from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who claimed that Khalil's activism threatened U.S. foreign policy. This ruling has drawn significant backlash, with critics arguing that it reflects an effort by the Trump administration to stifle dissent, particularly that which opposes U.S. policies regarding Israel and the Palestinian conflict.

Khalil's legal representatives contend that his detention is retaliatory, constituting violations of his constitutional rights, particularly the First Amendment right to free speech and the Fifth Amendment right to due process. Moreover, a separate legal challenge to the constitutionality of his arrest is underway in New Jersey, suggesting a broader fight against perceived injustices in the treatment of activists.

Khalil, originally from a refugee camp in Syria, came to the U.S. in 2022 on a student visa. After completing his master's degree, he became a lawful permanent resident. Now, facing the potential of being sent back to Syria or Algeria, Khalil’s legal team has until April 23 to contest his deportation. He has expressed a desire for due process to be upheld, highlighting his concerns about fairness throughout the legal proceedings.

Reports indicate that members of Congress plan to visit Khalil and other student activists detained in Louisiana. Similar cases, including that of Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was arrested after expressing criticisms of Israel, are also being closely monitored as they raise important questions about the intersection of activism and immigration enforcement policies. In a recent interview, another arrested activist, Mohsen Mahdawi, emphasized the troubling conflation of anti-war sentiments with antisemitism, raising concerns over the government’s approach to political dissent.