A federal judge on Friday ordered the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University alumnus and pro-Palestinian activist, from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, marking a significant victory for free speech advocates.

Khalil, a Syrian-born U.S. permanent resident of Palestinian descent, had been detained for over three months without criminal charges.

Khalil was arrested by ICE on March 8 in New York, allegedly for omissions in his permanent residency application related to his employment and involvement in a campaign to boycott Israel. His detention followed his high-profile role as a spokesperson for student-led protests at Columbia University against the war in Gaza. After his arrest, Khalil was transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana, nearly 2,000 kilometers from New York, facing potential deportation.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled that Khalil’s detention appeared to be an unconstitutional retaliation for his political beliefs. “There is at least something to the underlying claim that there is an effort to use the immigration charge here to punish Mr. Khalil,” Farbiarz stated, as reported by The New York Times. “And of course, that would be unconstitutional.”

Khalil is expected to return to New York to reunite with his wife and newborn son while his legal proceedings continue. His attorney, Noor Zafar, affirmed that Khalil will persist in advocating for Palestinian rights under his First Amendment protections.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the ruling, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin arguing that immigration judges, not district courts, have authority over such cases. McLaughlin claimed the decision undermines national security and portrayed Khalil as a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests. The Trump administration, which has sought Khalil’s deportation, maintains that his activism conflicts with American diplomatic priorities.

The case has drawn national attention, spotlighting tensions between free speech and immigration enforcement amid heightened campus protests over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. (ILKHA)