‘Justice Will Prevail,’ Mahmoud Khalil Says as He Goes Free on Bail
‘Justice Will Prevail,’ Mahmoud Khalil Says as He Goes Free on Bail
Mr. Khalil, a Columbia graduate, had been held in Louisiana for over three months as the Trump administration sought to deport him. A judge found reason to believe it was retaliation for his pro-Palestinian speech.
Listen to this article · 8:03 min Learn more
- Share full article
- 474
June 20, 2025Updated 10:02 p.m. ET
Mahmoud Khalil, the first pro-Palestinian campus protester detained by the Trump administration, was released on bail Friday, bringing an end to his monthslong imprisonment.
Mr. Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and legal permanent U.S. resident, had been held for 104 days, watching as other students targeted by the administration won favorable rulings and were released on bail. He was denied the opportunity to be present when his wife gave birth to their son in April and he missed his graduation from Columbia.
But his lawyers slowly chipped away at the government’s case. On Friday they convinced a judge, Michael E. Farbiarz of Federal District Court in Newark, to release Mr. Khalil on bail, persuading him that there was reason to believe the Trump administration was retaliating against Mr. Khalil for his role in demonstrations on Columbia’s Manhattan campus.
Subscribe to The Times to read as many articles as you like.
