Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and outspoken activist, was not allowed to witness the birth of his first child — a moment his wife says was stolen by immigration authorities.
On Monday, Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, gave birth to a baby boy in New York — alone.
Her husband, detained in a Louisiana immigration center, was denied a temporary release request by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), despite pleas for him to be there for the delivery.
“This was a purposeful decision by ICE to make me, Mahmoud, and our son suffer,” Abdalla said in a public statement. “They’ve stolen these precious moments from our family.”
Khalil is a legal permanent resident of the United States and became widely known last year as a spokesperson for pro-Palestinian student protesters during demonstrations at Columbia University.
His supporters say he is being unfairly targeted for his activism, especially around Palestinian rights and the conflict in Gaza.
The federal government claims Khalil poses a national security threat.
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Earlier this month, an immigration judge sided with the government, saying Khalil’s continued presence in the U.S. could have “potentially serious foreign policy consequences.” This decision satisfied the legal grounds for deportation, according to the ruling.
Khalil’s legal team says the ruling will be appealed, and they continue to push back against what they describe as a politically motivated case.
ICE has not responded to requests for comment.
Abdalla says her husband’s detention and the decision to keep him from attending their child’s birth are part of a broader effort to silence him.
“Mahmoud is not a threat. He’s a father, a student, and someone who believes deeply in justice,” she said. “This is not just about our family — it’s about the right to speak out without fear.”
