Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and legal U.S. permanent resident, missed the birth of his first child after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) denied his request for temporary release from detention. Khalil had been held since early March following his arrest related to pro-Palestinian activism on campus.

His wife, Noor Abdalla, gave birth alone in New York. She described ICE’s decision as “inhumane and vindictive,” arguing that the denial was intended to punish her husband for his outspoken views on Palestinian rights. Khalil’s legal team had proposed strict conditions for his temporary release, including GPS monitoring and a return to detention afterward. ICE declined the request without comment.

The detention stems from a broader crackdown on student activism amid the Trump regime’s intensified scrutiny of campus protests, particularly those critical of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Khalil’s arrest and ongoing detention have raised alarms among civil liberties advocates, who warn that it represents a chilling precedent for political expression.

An immigration judge recently ruled in favor of deporting Khalil, citing his activism as a threat to national interests. His legal team is appealing, asserting that his treatment violates First Amendment protections and reflects a broader effort to silence dissent.

Supporters across the country have rallied to Khalil’s defense, with students, academics, and human rights groups issuing statements and organizing demonstrations. Many see his case as a litmus test for the limits of political speech and civil rights under the current administration.

As Noor recovers from childbirth without her partner, she continues to speak out, calling attention to what she describes as a campaign of political persecution. “My son deserved his father at his birth,” she said, “but the government chose to make an example instead of showing compassion.”

The legal fight continues as Khalil’s family, colleagues, and community await the outcome of his appeal.