During an MSNBC interview on Friday, Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reflected on missing the birth of his first son.
“I lost one of my precious moments with my wife and son. I recall hearing his cries around 3:30 AM, right at delivery,” Khalil shared. “It’s shocking to think someone had the heartlessness to take that away from me.”
Released from ICE custody on June 20 after an arrest in March, Khalil is a legal US resident with a green card and played a prominent role in the pro-Palestinian movement at Columbia University. He has not faced any criminal charges.
“Right now, my main focus is reuniting with my wife and son,” Khalil stated after his release.
His arrest was among the first during a broader crackdown on foreign students participating in campus protests under the Trump administration.
Khalil’s wife, Dr. Noor Abdallah, expressed how challenging it was to return to their empty apartment after their son was born in May. “Walking into the quiet apartment with my new baby was just a lot to handle. I never imagined it would be like this. I just wanted him there with us,” she said about her husband.
Last week, US District Judge Michael Farbias ordered Khalil’s release, indicating there was no significant risk posed to the community. However, the case has led to further litigation against the administration.
“At least the main point is that it feels like there’s an attempt to punish him through immigration charges. That’s clearly unconstitutional,” Farbias noted in his ruling.
As a condition of his release, Khalil is only permitted to travel within New York, Michigan, Washington, New Jersey, and Louisiana for family visits, court appearances, and meetings with Congress.
