Washington - Saba:
The US Department of Homeland Security released Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University researcher, last night after a federal judge ordered the end of his 104-day detention.
Khalil was a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian protests against the Zionist enemy's war on Gaza. He was arrested from his Manhattan dorm on March 8, as part of a campaign that sparked widespread controversy.
US President Donald Trump took a sharp stance on the protests, describing them as "anti-Semitic" and threatening to deport foreign students participating in them.
Khalil was the first to be subjected to this threat, despite his legal permanent residency in the United States.
After a hearing, US District Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered Khalil's release, stating that the government had not presented evidence that he posed a danger to the community or was likely to flee justice.
The judge stated in his ruling, "There is a suspicion that the immigration charge is being used as a tool to punish the petitioner (Khalil), which is unconstitutional," referring to the political nature of his detention.
For its part, the White House spokeswoman expressed the US administration's rejection of the ruling, saying in a statement, "The order of the local judge in New Jersey, who lacks jurisdiction to release Khalil, is without merit." She added, "We are confident that our position will be upheld on appeal and look forward to his removal from the United States."
It is worth noting that Khalil has previously asserted that his detention was due to his political positions, in clear violation of the First Amendment to the US Constitution.
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