On Monday, Dr. Noor Abdalla shared the exciting news of the birth of her son. This wonderful development is accompanied by deep sadness, as her husband, Mahmoud Khalil, remains in prison. He also dealt with mounting legal woes from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Because of this, he was unable to be present for the birth of his first child.
Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations took Khalil into custody at his home within a student housing complex located on the campus. He is currently under serious criminal charges that led to his arrest. The legal grounds for his arrest became apparent three days later when the State Department indicated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the discretion to remove any noncitizen believed to pose “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”
Khalil had just come back from iftar, the meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan. Later that same evening, he was arrested. His detention has sparked a firestorm of debate. Most activists and observers have condemned it as a dangerous blow to his free speech and activism, particularly given his involvement in last year’s pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.
Speaking about the wedding, Dr. Abdalla said her heart breaks knowing Khalil wasn’t there for such a key chapter of their lives. She said that she had asked ICE to permit Khalil to attend the birth but was turned down.
“Despite our request for ICE to allow Mahmoud to attend the birth, they denied his temporary release to meet our son,” – Noor Abdalla
Khalil’s lawyers maintain that he was targeted for his political activism and assert that he welcomed support from diverse groups during last year’s protests, denying any affiliation with Hamas or other terrorist organizations. They contend that the indictment against him is meritless and founded in his first amendment protected speech, period.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has publicly condemned Khalil, stating he “hates the United States and what we stand for.” This characterization has raised concerns among many advocates who believe it reflects a broader trend of silencing dissenting voices, especially those advocating for Palestinian rights.
Dr. Abdalla expressed concern about the emotional impact of their separation, saying,
“My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud. ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmoud’s support for Palestinian freedom.” – Noor Abdalla
With the help of advocates and family, Khalil was able to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. after growing up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria. He became known for his pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia. As an increasingly popular figure on campus, he aggressively mediated between the most radical student groups and university presidents.
The case took a surprising turn when an immigration judge in Louisiana decided that Rubio has the power to deport Khalil. Though legal battles are still being fought, this decision moves the efforts to expel Khalil further down the road. As Dr. Abdalla presses on with her campaign to free her husband, she assured us that she’d stay in the fight for her family’s cause.
“I will continue to fight every day for Mahmoud to come home to us,” – Noor Abdalla
As this story continues to develop, advocates are working and making direct appeals for Khalil’s immediate release. They claim that his initial detention is a violation of civil liberties and an infringement on freedom of speech. This case goes beyond just Khalil. It extends into his wife’s family, alienating a period meant for celebration and connection.