Columbia University graduate and prominent Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil now finds himself imprisoned more than 1,000 miles away from New York. At the same time, his wife Noor Abdalla recently gave birth to their son. Khalil during a briefing on March 8 when he was arrested. His conduct is seen by authorities as a danger to U.S. foreign policy interests. Today, he finds himself in a detention center in Louisiana. This distance is hefty, considering this is the place where Noor was going to give birth to their newborn son.
Khalil’s legal team produced a powerful case to allow him to attend the birth. They more or less recommended, to him, that he wear or use an ankle monitor and report to regularly scheduled check-ins. Using this authority, the Department of Homeland Security granted only one such request. Because of this, Khalil was forced to hear about the historic event through a phone call.
Noor Abdalla, a 28-year-old dentist living in Michigan, recently gave birth to her son. She celebrated this historic achievement without her loving husband present. Tintori shared her anguish about the ongoing plight faced by Venezuela and the recent ICE announcement that designated Venezuelans for deportation.
“I welcomed our son into the world earlier today without Mahmoud by my side. Despite our request for ICE to allow Mahmoud to attend the birth, they denied his temporary release to meet our son. This was a purposeful decision by ICE to make me, Mahmoud, and our son suffer.” – Noor Abdalla
Abdalla assured well-wishers that she and their new baby boy are happy and healthy. She emphasized her commitment to fighting for Khalil’s release, stating, “I will continue to fight every day for Mahmoud to come home to us. I know when Mahmoud is freed, he will show our son how to be brave, thoughtful, and compassionate, just like his dad.”
The couple’s plight has helped focus the nation’s attention on the real human impact of draconian immigration enforcement policies. Khalil’s lawyers argued that allowing him a two-week furlough would have been both reasonable and humane, ensuring that both parents could be present for their child’s birth.
“A two-week furlough in this civil detention matter would be both reasonable and humane so that both parents can be present for the birth of their first child.” – Khalil’s lawyers
Khalil is at risk of being deported from the United States after a judge’s ruling earlier this month. Abdalla argues that the efforts of the Trump administration are specifically designed to intimidate those who advocate for Palestinians’ right to freedom and equality. Through her grief, she stands steadfast in her vow to never let Khalil’s voice be silenced.
“We will not be silenced. We will persist, with even greater resolve, and we will pass that strength on to our children and our children’s children – until Palestine is free.” – Noor Abdalla