Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate held in immigration detention in Louisiana for over a month, was denied permission to attend the birth of his first child on Monday. His request to be temporarily released to join his wife in New York was rejected by ICE officials.
Khalil’s attorneys had written to Melissa Harper, director of the ICE field office in New Orleans, asking for a two-week furlough so he could be present for his wife’s delivery. They offered to comply with conditions such as wearing a GPS monitor. However, just 30 minutes after the request, Harper denied it, citing a review of Khalil’s case.
Khalil, 30, is detained at an ICE facility in Jena, Louisiana, over 1,000 miles away from his family. He was able to witness his son’s birth via phone, with both mother and child reported to be healthy.
Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, criticized the government’s decision, saying it robbed them of “precious moments.” Khalil, who has not been charged with a crime, faces accusations of supporting Hamas, though no evidence has been presented in court. His legal team is appealing his removal from the US and challenging the legality of his detention in federal court.
Related topics:
