Newark: Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained for over three months by U.S. immigration authorities, made a defiant return to public life, vowing to continue his activism for Palestine—even in the face of death threats, reported the Al Jazeera.
Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, was released after a U.S. judge ruled that his continued detention was “highly, highly unusual,” especially as he posed no flight risk, faced no charges of violence, and was a legal resident.
Pushing a stroller with his infant son born during his 104-day detention, Khalil was welcomed at Newark International Airport by friends and supporters, including U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“The U.S. government is funding this genocide, and Columbia University is investing in it. That’s why I will never stop protesting,” Khalil said. “Even if they threaten me with jail or death, I will still speak up for Palestine.”
Ocasio-Cortez slammed Khalil’s detention as a violation of the First Amendment. “This was an affront to every American. He’s being targeted not for any crime, but because of his political speech,” she said, calling the charges “baseless” and accusing the Trump administration of suppressing dissent.
The U.S. government claimed that noncitizens expressing “antisemitic” and “pro-Hamas” views during protests should be expelled, referencing the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
Khalil emphasized that his fight extends beyond Palestine. “Whether you are a citizen or an immigrant, you are not illegal. That doesn’t make you any less human,” he declared.
Judge Michael Farbiarz’s decision to release Khalil is now under appeal by the government. Despite this, Khalil reaffirmed his commitment to the struggle, saying he would also raise his voice for the immigrants still inside detention facilities.
