Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, is currently detained in the United States as he faces deportation. His wife, Noor Abdalla, has shared that he missed the birth of their first child because he was not granted temporary release to attend. Abdalla expressed her heartbreak, stating that she gave birth in New York without Khalil by her side. She criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for making a "purposeful decision" that has caused her family pain.
Abdalla, a U.S. citizen, emphasized the emotional toll this situation has taken on them. “My son and I should not be going through this without Mahmoud,” she said. She believes that the actions taken by ICE and the Trump administration are attempts to silence Khalil’s advocacy for Palestinian rights. Abdalla vowed to fight for Khalil’s return, confident that he will teach their son important values when he is back home.
Khalil, who is a graduate student at Columbia University, was detained on March 8. His activism included a prominent role in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza last year. The Trump administration claims that his advocacy undermines efforts to combat anti-Semitism and protect Jewish students. Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident, has denied any allegations of anti-Semitism.
Earlier this month, an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled that the government could move forward with deportation proceedings against Khalil. The judge found sufficient evidence to deem him removable. Khalil’s legal team has announced plans to appeal this decision.
ICE has not yet commented on the situation. As the case unfolds, Khalil’s family remains hopeful for his return.