Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student, was not allowed to witness the birth of his son after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, said she requested his presence at the birth but was denied. Khalil, who grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, was arrested by federal agents in March, allegedly for lying on his application for permanent residency. An immigration judge ruled that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the discretion to deport Khalil.
Despite efforts by Khalil’s lawyers to challenge his detention and deportation, he remains in an ICE detention center over 1,000 miles away from his newborn son. Abdalla has accused ICE and the Trump administration of trying to silence Khalil’s support for Palestinian freedom. Khalil’s lawyers argue he was arrested over protected free speech and his role in pro-Palestinian student protests, with the State Department revoking visas of campus protesters.
Amid accusations from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that Khalil makes Jewish students fearful and supports terrorists, evidence presented by his lawyers shows he welcomed help from Jewish protesters and denied supporting any terrorist organizations. Abdalla continues to fight for Khalil’s release, stating that he will show their son how to be brave, thoughtful, and compassionate when he is reunited with his family.
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