The wife of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian Columbia University student, has spoken out after his sudden arrest by U.S. immigration agents. Noor Abdalla, his wife of two years, admits she never thought this day would come. Khalil, who had legal U.S. residency, had once warned her to be prepared in case something happened—but she brushed it off.
“I didn’t take him seriously. Clearly, I was naive,” Noor, who is eight months pregnant, told reporters. She was in shock when Homeland Security agents took her husband away from their Manhattan apartment building.
His arrest is seen as part of a larger move by President Donald Trump’s administration to crack down on foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian activism.
Khalil’s lawyers are now fighting in court to prevent his deportation, arguing that his arrest was an attack on his right to free speech. Meanwhile, Noor is left waiting, unsure of when—or if—her husband will return home.
The Political Storm Behind the Arrest
The case has drawn national attention, with accusations that Khalil was targeted for his vocal support of Palestine. He was a well-known figure on Columbia’s campus, actively advocating for the university to cut ties with companies linked to Israel’s government.
Despite no criminal charges against him, Trump has accused Khalil of promoting Hamas, the militant group that governs Gaza. His administration claims Khalil’s presence in the U.S. is against “national interests,” sparking debate over whether the arrest was politically motivated.
After being detained in New Jersey, Khalil was transferred over 1,200 miles away to a rural jail in Louisiana, making it even harder for his family and lawyers to reach him. Meanwhile, Noor is preparing for the birth of their first child without knowing if Khalil will be there.
A Love Story Interrupted
Noor and Khalil’s story began in Lebanon in 2016 when they met through a nonprofit program helping Syrian refugees. Their friendship blossomed into love, and after seven years of long-distance communication, they finally married in New York in 2023.
“He is the most incredible person, always thinking about others,” Noor said, showing a sonogram of their unborn son. “I can’t imagine him meeting his first child behind a glass screen.”
Khalil, who has always been deeply involved in activism, continued supporting others even in jail. Noor revealed that during their few phone calls, he told her he was helping detained migrants fill out legal paperwork and even sharing food with those in need.
The Battle Continues
Khalil’s case has divided opinions. His supporters argue that his arrest is an attempt to silence student activism, while Trump’s administration claims they are cracking down on foreign protesters.
Jewish faculty members at Columbia have also rallied in support of Khalil, holding signs that read, “Jews say no to deportations.” However, Noor expressed frustration that no one from Columbia’s administration had reached out to help.
With the court yet to decide Khalil’s fate, Noor can only hope that her husband will be home in time to meet their baby. “He’s standing up for his people,” she said, “but I just want him home.”
What’s Next?
As the legal battle continues, the case raises important questions about free speech, student activism, and immigration policies. Will Khalil be deported, or will the court rule in his favor? The fight is far from over.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
