After spending more than three months behind bars in a remote Louisiana detention center, Palestinian-American activist Mahmoud Khalil is pleading with a federal judge for relief. His legal team is asking for one of two things: either let him out on bail or move him closer to his family in New Jersey.
Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and recent father, has been separated from his wife and newborn son since March. His attorneys argue that keeping him in a jail hundreds of miles away is not only unnecessary—it’s cruel.
Judge Blocks Deportation, But Keeps Khalil in Custody
Just weeks ago, Khalil had a legal victory when U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled that the government could not deport him simply because of his political views. That decision came after intense debate over whether Khalil’s pro-Palestinian activism violated U.S. foreign policy. The judge said it didn’t—and pointed out that deporting someone for political speech was a dangerous road to go down.
But the judge didn’t go as far as releasing Khalil. There’s still a separate issue: immigration officials claim he left out key details on his green card application, and they say that’s enough to keep him locked up for now.
A Family Torn Apart
For Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, the wait has been heartbreaking. She gave birth to their son without him by her side. Since then, Khalil has only seen photos. He hasn’t held his child. He hasn’t hugged his wife. And he hasn’t been able to receive proper medical care while in jail—something his lawyers say has put his health at risk.
Under ICE policy, detained parents are supposed to be kept as close to their children as possible. But Khalil remains stuck in Louisiana, thousands of miles from the people who matter most to him.
Lawyers Push for Move to New Jersey
If Khalil can’t be released just yet, his attorneys say the least the government can do is move him to New Jersey. That’s where his immigration case is already being heard. It’s where his legal team is based. And it’s where his wife and child are waiting.
They argue that there’s no valid reason to keep him in Louisiana, especially when the original justification—a bedbug issue at the New Jersey facility—was a temporary problem. They say moving him so far away was a punishment disguised as protocol.
Government Still Holding On to Misrepresentation Claim
While the government dropped its attempt to deport Khalil based on his activism, it hasn’t backed off entirely. Officials now say his detention is justified because of alleged misstatements on past immigration forms. Judge Farbiarz agreed, at least for now, saying that kind of omission can be serious—but also noting that it’s rare for someone to be jailed for it.
An appeal to overturn the judge’s decision on deportation is no longer an option—the deadline to file has passed. That leaves the focus squarely on whether Khalil can be transferred or released.
What’s Next?
A decision on Khalil’s transfer request could come soon. His lawyers are hopeful the judge will allow him to either go home or, at the very least, be detained somewhere closer to his family.
For Khalil and his supporters, this case has become about more than just one man’s situation. It’s about what kind of country the U.S. wants to be when it comes to free speech, family unity, and fair treatment under the law.
