Activist Mahmoud Khalil Joins Rally in NYC After Immigration Detention
Mahmoud Khalil, known for his anti-Israel activism, participated in a rally in New York City on Sunday, just days after being released from a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Louisiana.
The rally was held outside the Cathedral of St. John, close to Columbia University, as reported by NBC News on Monday.
Khalil, a Columbia alumnus, was arrested in March following a radical protest that he led on campus, according to Breitbart News. The article mentioned former President Donald Trump’s commitment to deport foreign students who engage in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel protests at universities.
During the rally, Khalil addressed the audience, stating, “Mahmoud Khalil is a human rights advocate. Mahmoud Khalil is a freedom fighter. Mahmoud Khalil is a refugee. Mahmoud Khalil is a father and husband.”
In a video shared online, he led the crowd in chanting, “Free, Free Palestine!” as attendees joined in.
A recent ruling from a federal judge granted Khalil’s release from ICE custody. US District Judge Michael E. Fabialz, appointed by former President Joe Biden, initially denied Khalil’s request for release, claiming that he had not fully disclosed information regarding his Green Card application.
Additionally, footage showed Khalil arriving in New York City with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) following his release.
This release came after a US immigration judge indicated in April that Khalil could face deportation, as noted by Reuters.
Breitbart reported that Judge Fabiartz had previously blocked deportation in a separate New Jersey case while evaluating Khalil’s claim that his arrest violated First Amendment protections related to free speech.
Earlier in April, Emirati political analyst Dr. Salem Al Ketobi expressed concerns that US university campuses are becoming sites where extremist organizations exploit immigration laws to embed operatives, attain US citizenship, and cultivate a new generation of activists under the radar.
The article also mentioned that Khalil is allegedly involved in violent activities associated with Hamas and has been labeled a “Hamas sympathizer” by those with anti-American perspectives.
