Detained Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil missed the birth of his son after Immigration and Customs Enforcement denied his temporary release, according to his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla. Immigration officials detained Khalil on March 8, citing national security concerns.
Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and legal permanent U.S. resident, led pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Columbia’s campus in 2024.
The Department of Homeland Security began deportation proceedings against Khalil in March, using a rarely invoked provision that allows the secretary of state to act against individuals deemed a threat to U.S. foreign policy.
Federal authorities alleged Khalil supported activities tied to Hamas, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization, although they have not filed any criminal charges against him. His lawyers have denied the claims and argued that the government has presented no evidence linking him to any extremist group.
What happened around the birth of Khalil’s son?
Khalil’s wife gave birth to their first child on Monday, April 21, in New York while her husband remained in detention in Jena, Louisiana. Khalil’s attorneys submitted a request to ICE for a two-week monitored furlough so he could attend the delivery. They offered to comply with conditions such as GPS monitoring.
ICE denied the request within an hour, citing a review of his case.
How did Khalil and his wife respond?
In a public statement, Abdalla said ICE purposely denied the request to punish her family. She accused the Trump administration of using the immigration process to silence political expression.
Khalil listened to the birth by phone, but it remains unclear when he can meet his son in person.
His attorney called the denial inhumane and unnecessary, saying officials never considered Khalil a flight risk or threat to the community.
What legal actions are underway?
A Louisiana immigration judge ruled that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the authority to deport Khalil. However, a federal judge in New Jersey temporarily blocked Khalil’s deportation while the court reviews constitutional concerns.
His lawyers have filed several motions, including a request for bail and a transfer back to the East Coast. They argued that holding him in detention violates his civil rights and denies him due process.
What broader implications does the case carry?
Khalil’s detention has become a flashpoint in a broader crackdown on campus demonstrations tied to the Israel-Gaza war. His case is one of several targeting foreign nationals involved in pro-Palestinian protests.
Critics, including legal scholars and advocacy groups, said the administration’s actions raise concerns about free speech, academic freedom and the potential misuse of immigration authority.
