Washington: Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was released from detention in New Jersey after a federal judge ordered his immediate bail on Friday.
The ruling by District Court Judge Michael Farbiarz comes amid ongoing legal challenges to Khalil’s detention and efforts to prevent his deportation.
The judge rejected a government motion to temporarily halt his release and confirmed Khalil’s freedom after finalizing the terms with a magistrate court.
Khalil, who has been detained since March over his participation in Palestinian rights protests at Columbia University.
Khalil, a prominent supporter of Palestinian rights, expressed relief outside the Louisiana detention center where he was held, stating, “Justice prevailed, but it’s very long overdue. This shouldn’t have taken three months.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has been actively advocating for Khalil, hailed the decision as a victory for First Amendment rights. “This is a joyous day for Mahmoud, for his family, and for everyone’s free speech rights,” said ACLU lawyer Noor Zafar.
She emphasized that Khalil’s detention appeared to be an attempt to punish his political beliefs about Palestine, highlighting concerns about the misuse of immigration law to suppress dissent.
Khalil’s case is notably the first instance of a Palestinian activist detained and stripped of legal immigration status by the Trump administration due to involvement in student protests.
His release marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and political activism in the United States.
