Receives Hero’s Welcome at Newark Airport
Mahmoud Khalil has pledged to continue his pro-Palestinian activism after returning to New York, a day after being released on bail from an immigration detention center. This comes as the Trump administration pushes ahead with efforts to deport the recent Columbia University graduate.
Khalil, 30, arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday afternoon to cheers and celebrations from friends, supporters, and his wife, a U.S. citizen. He was also welcomed by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who denounced the Trump administration’s actions as “persecution based on political speech” and “an affront to every American.”
Holding flowers, Khalil reaffirmed his commitment to the cause:
“Even if they threaten me with detention — even if they kill me — I will continue to speak up for Palestine,” he said. “I want to return to the work I was doing, advocating for Palestinian rights — speech that should be celebrated, not punished.”
Born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, Khalil became a U.S. permanent resident last year. He rose to prominence as a leader in the pro-Palestinian student protests at Columbia University. On March 8, federal agents arrested him in his apartment building’s lobby — marking him as the first international student targeted by Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices.
Citing an obscure immigration law unused for over two decades, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that Khalil and several other pro-Palestinian students should be deported, arguing their presence harms U.S. foreign policy. Critics, including Jewish groups, say the government wrongly equates criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled the government’s actions violated Khalil’s free speech rights, ordering his release on bail. However, an immigration court in Louisiana ruled the same day that Khalil must be deported. Khalil now plans to appeal through the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Despite his release, the Trump administration vowed to continue seeking his deportation, citing alleged inaccuracies in his residency application — claims Khalil denies.
“The genocide is still happening in Gaza,” Khalil said upon his return. “The U.S. government funds it, and Columbia University invests in it. That’s why I protested — and why I’ll keep protesting.”
