Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Released After 104 Days US Detention

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and legal permanent resident of the United States, was released from a Louisiana ICE detention center after spending over three months in custody due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. His detention, ordered by the Trump administration, sparked criticism and was seen by many as an attempt to suppress freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, particularly targeting solidarity with Palestinian causes. A federal judge ordered his release, ruling that Khalil posed no public threat, though he still faces ongoing immigration proceedings with travel restrictions within the U.S. Khalil and his supporters condemned the detention as unjust, with Amnesty International highlighting it as part of a broader pattern of political targeting and authoritarian practices under the current administration. The case has ignited debate about First Amendment rights and alleged discrimination in immigration enforcement, representing a significant moment in the U.S. discourse on immigration justice and civil liberties. Despite his release, concerns remain about the use of immigration policies to silence political activism.