Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, detained for nearly three months, has filed a new court declaration detailing the 'irreparable harm' of missing his son's birth and separation from his family. His legal team is seeking his immediate release, arguing his detention is unconstitutional and part of a broader effort to suppress free speech by the Trump administration.
Mahmoud Khalil describes pain of missing son’s birth in latest court filing
Mahmoud KhalilUnited States
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, detained for nearly three months, has filed a new court declaration detailing the 'irreparable harm' of missing his son's birth and separation from his family. His legal team is seeking his immediate release, arguing his detention is unconstitutional and part of a broader effort to suppress free speech by the Trump administration.
Trending- 1 Mahmoud Khalil has been detained for nearly three months.
- 2 His son was born in late April, which Khalil missed while detained.
- 3 Khalil's job offer from Oxfam International was rescinded on April 3.
- 4 A US district judge said the use of a law to detain Khalil was 'probably unconstitutional' (a week prior to the filing).
- 5 Khalil's legal team filed a new declaration and evidence in New Jersey federal court (Wednesday night).
- 6 The declaration was made public and a news conference was held (Thursday).
- 7 Khalil's case was raised during the New York City Democratic mayoral primary debate (a day prior to the news conference).
- Khalil experienced 'irreparable harm' including loss of liberty, chilling of First Amendment activities, separation from family, psychological harm, and severe damage to his professional future.
- His job offer from Oxfam International was rescinded due to the government's accusations and public stigma.
- The case has been raised in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary debate, highlighting concerns about due process and erosion of democracy.
What: Mahmoud Khalil, a detained Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist, filed a new court declaration describing the 'most immediate and visceral harms' of his nearly three-month detention, specifically missing the birth of his son and being separated from his wife.
When: Wednesday night (declaration filed), Thursday (declaration made public, news conference), late April (son's birth), nearly three-month detention (duration), 3 April (Oxfam offer rescinded).
Where: New Jersey federal court (where filing was made), Louisiana (detention center location), New York City (mayoral primary debate context).
Why: Khalil's legal team argues his arrest and detention are unconstitutional, based on a rarely invoked law used by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to suppress constitutionally protected speech. The government's justification is that his beliefs may pose a threat to US foreign policy.
How: Khalil's legal team filed a brief and dozens of declarations and expert reports in New Jersey federal court in support of his request for a preliminary injunction for immediate release. A US district judge previously indicated the detention was 'probably unconstitutional' but requested more information.