Hundreds Protest in New York Demanding pro-Palestinian Mahmood Khalil’s Release

Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside Manhattan’s federal court on Wednesday, demanding the release of Mahmo0d Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Khalil, a U.S. permanent resident, was arrested over the weekend, sparking outrage among activists and legal experts who see his detention as part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices in the U.S. His legal team has accused authorities of restricting attorney-client communication, with only one monitored call allowed since his detention in Louisiana.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman temporarily blocked Khalil’s deportation and ordered ICE to provide private legal consultations. Meanwhile, protests continue as supporters call for justice and free speech protections amid increasing political pressure on activists.

Khalil played a key role in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University, which called for an end to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. His arrest follows Trump administration policies targeting foreign nationals involved in activism, with Trump himself stating Khalil’s detention is “the first of many to come.”

As legal proceedings unfold, Khalil’s case is emerging as a critical test of political dissent, free speech, and immigrant rights in the U.S.