Feds release Mahmoud Khalil from detention after over 100 days in custody

Federal immigration officers on Friday released Columbia protester Mahmoud Khalil from detention, after a judge ordered his release earlier in the day. He was held for more than 100 days.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered Khalil's release, ruling there was enough evidence to justify Khalil's assertion that "there is an effort to use the immigration charge here to punish the petitioner." 

Khalil had been in custody since March 8, after helping to organize an anti-Israel protest at Columbia University in 2024. He is a green-card holder and lawful resident, though authorities have sought to deport him.

“Justice prevailed, but it’s very long overdue,” Khalil said outside a federal facility in Louisiana, per the Associated Press. “This shouldn’t have taken three months.”

Khalil is now expected to travel to New York City to reunite with his wife and newborn son. He had to surrender his passport and is not allowed to travel internationally for now, but will be getting his green card back and documents that allow him to travel to Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana and Washington, D.C.

“We know this ruling does not begin to address the injustices the Trump administration has brought upon our family, and so many others,” Khalil's wife said in a statement provided by his lawyers. “But today we are celebrating Mahmoud coming back to New York to be reunited with our little family.”

The federal government filed a notice on Friday night that it is appealing Khalil's release. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.