On 20 June 2025, a US federal judge ordered Mahmoud Khalil’s release from immigration detention as his legal proceedings continue in immigration and federal courts. On 8 March, US immigration authorities unlawfully arrested and arbitrarily detained Mahmoud, a lawful permanent resident, Palestinian activist and student organizer who recently graduated from Columbia University. Mahmoud was targeted for his role in student protests at Columbia University, where he was exercising his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly protesting Israel’s genocide in Occupied Palestinian Territory.
