Mahmoud Khalil’s wife gives birth after ICE denied his request to attend delivery

Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian demonstrator, is facing a difficult situation as his wife gave birth to their first child while he remains in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention in Jena, Louisiana. Khalil’s request for temporary release to meet his newborn son was denied by ICE, despite his lawyers requesting a two-week furlough. The lawyers suggested that Khalil could be placed on an ankle monitor and do regular check-ins with ICE if released.

The heartbreaking situation was highlighted in a statement released by Khalil’s wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, who expressed her disappointment at being forced to navigate their son’s first days on earth without Khalil by her side. She criticized ICE and the Trump administration for separating their family and silencing Khalil’s support for Palestinian freedom.

Khalil’s legal troubles stem from an immigration judge ruling that he is removable from the US after Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked a section of the law deeming him deportable due to potential adverse consequences on foreign policy. The judge has set a deadline for Khalil’s lawyers to file applications for relief by April 23, warning that failure to do so could result in Khalil’s deportation to either Syria or Algeria.

Khalil, a former student at Columbia University, was known for his activism in protesting the war in Gaza and advocating for the institution to cut ties with Israel and divest from Israeli companies. Despite completing his graduate studies at Columbia in December and preparing to graduate in the spring, Khalil was arrested by ICE at his university housing in March.

The plight of Mahmoud Khalil and his family serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by individuals involved in activism and the harsh realities of immigration enforcement policies. As the legal battle continues, supporters are rallying behind Khalil and his family, calling for justice and compassion in his case.