The wife of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student, gave birth to their first child as Khalil remains detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Jena, Louisiana.
Despite urgent pleas from his legal team, ICE denied Khalil’s request for a two-week furlough to attend the birth. The request, which proposed placing Khalil on an ankle monitor with regular ICE check-ins, was rejected by ICE Field Office Director Mellissa B. Harper, who stated in an email: “After consideration of the submitted information and a review of your client’s case, your request for furlough is denied.”
Dr. Noor Abdalla, Khalil’s wife, gave birth earlier than expected and expressed frustration at the situation.
“My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud,” she said. “ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmoud’s support for Palestinian freedom.”
Khalil was arrested by ICE in March at his Columbia housing after graduating in December. His arrest follows an April 11 immigration judge’s ruling that Khalil is deportable under a provision invoked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The ruling claims Khalil’s continued presence in the U.S. could adversely impact foreign policy.
Khalil’s attorneys have until April 23 to file for relief. If they fail, the judge indicated a removal order would be issued, potentially sending Khalil to either Syria or Algeria.
As a student, Khalil was a leading voice in Columbia’s “Revolt for Rafah” encampment and participated in high-profile negotiations urging the university to divest from Israeli companies over the war in Gaza. Despite completing his graduate studies, he faces deportation before he can walk at graduation.
