Khalil Denied Release, Misses Son’s Birth While in ICE Custody

NEW YORK – Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student, missed the birth of his first child after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) denied his request for temporary release from detention. Khalil, who is being held in Louisiana since his arrest for pro-Palestinian activism, experienced the birth of his son via phone call.

Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, gave birth in New York City on Monday. Khalil’s legal team reached out to ICE on Sunday, requesting a two-week conditional release so he could attend the birth, offering to comply with conditions like wearing a GPS ankle monitor and scheduled check-ins. However, Mellissa Harper, the director of ICE’s New Orleans Field Office, denied the request less than an hour later.

“Mr. Khalil would be open to any combination of conditions that would allow furlough from ICE’s perspective, but they did not show any humanity,” said Marc Van Der Hout, one of Khalil’s attorneys. “He is happy to be a father, but he’s extremely disappointed that he couldn’t be there to hold his first child.”

Abdalla expressed her frustration at the denial, stating, “ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmoud’s support for Palestinian freedom.” She emphasized the emotional toll of navigating their child’s early days without Khalil.

Khalil’s detention has sparked national debate regarding immigrants’ rights and free speech, particularly concerning activism related to Palestine. He was among the first students arrested in the Trump administration’s crackdown on such activism. Earlier this month, a Louisiana immigration judge ruled that he could be deported based on claims made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which allege that Khalil’s activism threatens U.S. foreign policy.

The federal judge overseeing Khalil’s ongoing challenge to his detention on constitutional grounds has barred the government from removing him during the case’s proceedings. Khalil’s legal representatives are pushing for his release, arguing that his detention is retribution for his advocacy.

Abdalla confirmed both she and their newborn are healthy, but she highlighted the psychological effect of Khalil’s absence. “My son deserves to know his father, and we should not be separated like this,” she noted.

Khalil’s situation reflects broader concerns surrounding the treatment of detained immigrants, particularly those involved in free expression related to political issues. Advocates warn that his case may set a precedent for how the government handles similar situations in the future.

As of the latest data, ICE is currently holding nearly 48,000 individuals across the country, including many, like Khalil, who have no criminal records. Amid increasing scrutiny over ICE’s practices, the Biden administration is facing pressure to reform immigration policies and improve conditions for detainees.