Chicago – April 22, 2025
Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, was not allowed to attend the birth of his first child after U.S. immigration authorities denied his request for temporary release from detention.
Khalil has been held in an ICE facility in Louisiana for over a month. On Sunday, his lawyers contacted Melissa Harper, the director of ICE’s New Orleans field office, asking for a two-week furlough so Khalil could be with his wife in New York as she gave birth. His attorneys emphasized that the request was both reasonable and compassionate, noting that the baby was arriving eight days earlier than expected. They also offered to comply with conditions such as GPS monitoring and regular check-ins.
Despite these assurances, Harper responded within half an hour with a brief rejection, stating she had reviewed the case and decided not to approve the release. As a result, Khalil, who is being held over 1,000 miles away in Jena, Louisiana, could only listen to his child’s birth over the phone. Both mother and baby are in good health.
Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, expressed her heartbreak over the decision, stating that ICE and the Trump administration had robbed their family of meaningful moments. She vowed to continue advocating for his release, saying her husband would one day teach their son to be courageous and kind.
Though Khalil has not been charged with any crime, the Trump administration has accused him of supporting Hamas, but has not presented evidence in court. An immigration judge recently ruled that Khalil can be deported, a decision his legal team is currently appealing. They are also challenging the legality of his detention in federal court.
