JENA, Louisiana — Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate known for his pro-Palestinian activism, was released from U.S. immigration detention Friday after spending over three months in custody. A federal judge ordered his release from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Jena, where he had been held since early March.

The 30-year-old Khalil was the last of several international student activists detained during a crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. His release followed a federal court hearing, during which Judge Michael Farbiarz determined that Khalil was not a flight risk and posed no threat to the community.

Upon his release just after 6:30 PM local time, Khalil spoke briefly to reporters gathered outside the facility, expressing a mix of relief and frustration. “Although justice prevailed, it’s very long overdue, and this shouldn’t have taken three months,” he stated. Khalil also highlighted the plight of others still in detention, stating, “I leave over 1,000 people behind in a place where they shouldn’t be.”

Khalil’s detention had drawn scrutiny and criticism, including claims that his pro-Palestinian advocacy constituted a threat to U.S. national security. In response to these allegations, he remarked, “The administration chose the wrong person for this. There is no right person who should be detained for protesting against genocide.” He expressed eager anticipation to reunite with his infant son, born during his time in detention, calling the upcoming hug a moment he has long awaited.

Earlier statements by Judge Farbiarz indicated the government had not met the necessary criteria for detention, emphasizing the unusual nature of seeking to detain Khalil based on the facts presented. Khalil’s case is part of a broader trend of actions taken against students advocating for Palestinian rights, and his release marks a notable defeat for the administration, which has attempted to suppress such speech.

As part of his conditional release, Khalil was ordered to surrender his passport and green card and faces travel restrictions within certain states, including New York and Michigan, pending the outcome of his immigration case. This will unfold separately, as the legal battle continues.

His arrest and subsequent detention sparked widespread condemnation regarding First Amendment rights, as he has not been charged with any crime. Various legal advocates and community members have viewed his case as emblematic of escalating tensions surrounding political expression in the U.S.

Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdallah, expressed relief at her husband’s release, acknowledging the challenges faced by their family throughout this ordeal. “We celebrate Mahmoud coming back to New York to be reunited with our little family,” she stated in a message from her attorneys.

In response to the judge’s ruling, human rights organizations also celebrated the decision, calling it overdue and urging the administration to comply with the order. Community support for Khalil and similar activists underscores the ongoing struggle for advocacy in the realm of U.S. immigration and civil rights.