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On March 8, 2025, ICE arrested Mahmoud Khalil, an Algerian-Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University who had become widely-known for his role in New York's pro-Palestinian protests. He had a legal green card and his wife, Noor Abdalla, was expecting their first child. The case drew widespread attention, and his supporters filed a legal challenge asserting that his participation in the 2024 demonstrations and exercise of free speech had led to his detention. Khalil remained in custody in Louisiana and was denied leave to be present for his son Deen's birth in April. He was ultimately released by order of a federal judge on June 20, 2025, concluding a 104-day confinement.
Dr. Noor Abdalla comforts newborn Deen during an outburst.
Trinkets sit on a shelf in the home of Mahmoud and Noor, including a sticker that reads "Release Mahmoud Khalil Now."
Pro-Palestine protestors call for Mahmoud's release at Foley Square
Columbia students chained themselves to a fence demanding Khalil's release.
Pro_Palestine protestors march in Times Square.
Pro-Palestine protestors march and call for an end to the war and the freedom of Mahmoud Khalil.
The People's Graduation at Columbia held an honorary graduation in Mahmoud Khalil's name for students that were dismissed from Columbia and NYU or unable to walk at graduation due to their participation in pro-Palestine protests.
Dr. Noor Abdalla sheds tears as she speaks about her detained husband at the People's Graduation
A collection in honor of Mahmoud Khalil, who would have walked in Columbia's graduation, is set up at the People's Graduation ceremony.
Close friends of Mahmoud Khalil's await his arrival at Newark Airport.
Mahmoud Khalil, accompanied by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and wife Noor Abdalla, and walking his son Deen, emerges at Newark Airport to greet his closest friends in New York.
Mahmoud embraces his friends that came to the airport to welcome him back home.
In Mahmoud Khalil's first public appearance since his arrest, he and his wife Noor greet the hundreds of supporters at the rally.
Mahmoud addresses his supporters. He speaks briefly of his experience in Louisiana, but mostly about the fact that there is still a lot of work and fighting to do. He concludes with a chant of "I believe that we will win."
Mahmoud Khalil leads pro-Palestine chants as the rally moves down the street near Columbia University.
Pro-Palestine protestors march down the street with Mahmoud leading the way
Though freed from detention, Khalil is still being persecuted by many United States law officials. He is currently managing deportation proceedings after an immigration judge ordered his removal in September 2025 for allegedly misrepresenting information on his green card application. Now a major face of the pro-Palestinian movement, Mahmoud is under nationwide scrutiny and taking all actions he can to protect himself and his family.
Mahmoud Khalil in his home on July 2, 2025.
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