Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student and rights activist, has spoken out about his recent arrest and detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling the experience a “stain” on the United States and drawing parallels to government actions in authoritarian regimes. Khalil, who is a legal U.S. resident, was released after spending more than three months in detention, during which he said he was deprived of basic dignity and missed critical family moments—including the birth of his son.

The 28-year-old activist was taken from his home in New Jersey on March 8, 2025, by plainclothes federal agents. He was not informed of the reason for his arrest, which he likened to cases of forced disappearance in his native Palestine. Khalil had recently participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University in New York City, and his detention quickly drew national attention as critics alleged retaliation for his political speech.

According to Khalil, his time in the ICE facility was marked by uncertainty and stress. He shared a crowded room with dozens of men, surrounded by bright lights and little information about when, or if, any detainees would be released. Despite his own circumstances, Khalil used his language skills to translate and advocate for fellow detainees—many of whom he said faced tragic circumstances. One man, he reported, was deported after living in the U.S. for over a decade, while another detainee was a father of four whose wife was battling cancer. Meanwhile, Khalil’s own family welcomed a new child while he was behind bars.

In his first interview after release, Khalil emphasized that his ordeal reflects a broader pattern within the U.S. immigration system, asserting that “immigrants are dehumanized and stripped of their rights.” He called what is happening in detention centers “a stain” on the nation and warned that “someday Americans may look back and regret how immigrants were treated.”

Khalil’s arrest came as the Trump administration invoked rarely used immigration laws to seek his deportation, claiming his presence constituted a threat to U.S. foreign policy. His legal team argued that the detention was unconstitutional and retaliatory, violating Khalil’s First Amendment rights to free speech. The administration has also alleged Khalil lied on his green card application—an accusation he adamantly denies.

On June 20, 2025, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered Khalil’s release and found the government’s arguments unconvincing and likely unconstitutional. "There is no legitimate or persuasive national security justification for the continued detention of Mr. Khalil," Judge Farbiarz wrote in his ruling. Nevertheless, the government continues to pursue his deportation in immigration court, keeping his case in the national spotlight as a test for civil rights and due process.

Khalil, who is married to a U.S. citizen and previously obtained his green card, maintains that his release is only a partial victory. At a rally following his release, he vowed to continue advocating for those "separated from their families and persecuted for exercising their rights." Advocates and organizations have rallied in support of Khalil, pointing to his case as a symbol of growing concern over the use of immigration laws to suppress political dissent in the United States.

Additional reporting on Khalil’s situation can be found at Time.com, as well as further background analysis by the Associated Press.