Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist who played a role in the against Israel’s war in , has been released from federal immigration jail in Louisiana.
He spent 104 days in US custody. “Justice prevailed, but it’s very long overdue,” he said outside the facility. “This shouldn’t have taken three months.”
Khalil was born in Syria and holds Algerian citizenship. He is not a US national but is a permanent resident.
US District Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered Khalil’s release earlier on Friday.
Farbiarz said the US government made no attempt to rebut evidence from Khalil’s attorneys that he is not a flight risk nor a danger to the public.
The Trump administration has targeted Khalil, saying he played a role in antisemitic protests.
Khalil’s legal team have argued that he is not antisemtitic or anti-US.
The Trump administration had detained Khalil on foreign policy grounds, but Fabiarz had earlier ruled that the foreign policy reasons did not justify his detention.
Khalil’s green card will be returned to him, and he is permitted to limited travel within the US.
At the same time, the Trump administration is still attempting to deport Khalil based on allegations that he lied to obtain his green card. This means that Khalil’s legal battle to stay in the US is still not over.
Khalil’s wife Noor Abdalla celebrates release
Khalil is married to US citizen Noor Abdalla, who gave birth to their son while he was in immigration detention.
Abdalla celebrated Khalil’s release in a statement: “We know this ruling does not begin to address the injustices the Trump administration has brought upon our family, and so many others.”
“But today we are celebrating Mahmoud coming back to to be reunited with our little family.”
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