New Delhi, Jun 21: Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist, was released on bail after spending more than three months in detention, reports international media. A federal judge ruled that Khalil does not pose a flight risk or a threat to his community, allowing his immigration case to proceed while he remains free. Khalil had become a prominent figure in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University last year.
His arrest on March 8 sparked protests in New York and Washington, D.C. The US government has sought his deportation, claiming his activism interferes with American foreign policy.
Following his release from a Louisiana detention centre, Khalil travelled to New York to reunite with his wife and young son, who was born during his 104-day detention. He had only been allowed a limited one-hour visit with his child during that period, BBC reported. While the government has not charged Khalil with any specific crime, he was held by US. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on two immigration-related counts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio used a rarely invoked clause in the Immigration and Nationality Act to argue that Khalil’s presence in the country could have negative consequences for U.S. foreign policy.
The White House, in a statement issued by spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, criticised the judge’s decision to release Khalil, claiming the activist had committed fraud and acted against US foreign policy interests. The administration intends to appeal the ruling and pursue Khalil’s deportation. Khalil, a US permanent resident, graduated from Columbia while still in custody. His wife accepted his diploma on his behalf during the university’s commencement ceremony.
