After returning from a detention centre in Louisiana, he told a news outlet in New Jersey. "My existence is a message" to the Trump administration.
"All these attempts to suppress pro-Palestinian voices have failed now." In the New York University s pro-Palestinian protests last year, Mahmoud Khalil was a prominent voice. His arrest on 8 March triggered protests in New York and Washington DC.
Also Read: Pro-Palestinian activist Khalil walks free after US judge orders release
On the grounds that his advocacy is harmful to foreign policy interests, the US government wants to deport him.
Mahmoud Khalil promised to continue advocating and speaking up for Palestinian rights and immigrant rights for "who are left behind in that facility where he was detained in Louisiana.
The White House "dehumanises anyone who does not agree with the administration," he accused.
"Free Palestine", he shouted at the end of his remarks.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic lawmaker from New York, joined Mr Khalil and said that his release demonstrated that the Trump administration was losing the legal fight to deport Palestinian-supporting migrants in the United States.
The congresswoman stated, "The Trump administration knows that they are waging a losing legal battle."
"They are violating the law, and they know they are violating the law. And they are trying to use these one-off examples to intimidate everyone else."
AOC: Being taken is wrong, it is illegal, it is a violation of his First Amendment rights, it is an affront to every American, and we will not allow—and will continue to resist—the politicization and the continued political persecution that ICE is engaged in. pic.twitter.com/oMokVv2swG
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 21, 2025
These remarks come a day after Khalil was released from jail while his immigration proceedings still continue; he was ruled out by a judge as not a risk to his community.
As the Trump administration continues its efforts to deport him from the US, it has promised to appeal against his release.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated in a statement to a news outlet, "There is no basis for a local federal judge in New Jersey – who lacks jurisdiction – to order Khalil s release from a detention facility in Louisiana. We expect to be vindicated on appeal."
