Mahmoud Khalil release from Louisiana ICE detention center ordered by federal judge

JENA, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A Palestinian activist held in a detention center in Jena, La., was released on Friday.

A federal judge ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student who was detained at his New York City apartment on March 8, as President Donald Trump and his administration cracked down on pro-Palestinian protests.

Khalil was not accused of a crime; the administration was arguing that he should be detained and ultimately expelled from the country because his beliefs could undermine U.S. foreign policy goals.

The judge ordered his release, stating that Khalil was not a flight risk and posed no danger to the public. He spoke to the media outside the facility after his release. “The hundreds of men who are, who I left behind, shouldn’t be there in the first place. The Trump administration are doing their best to dehumanize everyone here. Whether you are a U.S. Citizen, an immigrant or just a person on this land doesn’t mean that you are less of a human.

Khalil is traveling back to his home in Manhattan and says he can not wait to reunite with his wife and infant son, who was born while he was in ICE detention.