A former Columbia University student held in federal immigration detention for over three months has been released following a judge’s order.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist facing deportation, was freed from a Dallas detention center after a federal judge ruled that he did not pose a flight risk or a danger to the community. The court granted bail while his immigration case proceeds.
Khalil had been detained as part of deportation efforts initiated during the Trump administration. Federal authorities cited his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University as a basis for seeking his removal from the U.S.
Supporters and advocacy groups rallied for his release, organizing protests and public campaigns in New York and other cities. His release was met with relief among activists who viewed his detention as politically motivated.
Under the conditions of his release, Khalil must remain in the United States unless he chooses to voluntarily depart. His immigration status remains unresolved, and legal proceedings are ongoing.
Khalil’s attorneys have argued that his detention was unnecessary and that his activism should not be grounds for deportation. The judge’s decision echoed those concerns, concluding that continued detention was not justified.
While Khalil’s release marks a key development in the case, his legal future remains uncertain. Immigration authorities have not withdrawn the deportation proceedings, and future hearings will determine his long-term status.
