The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a federal court decision ordering the release of anti-genocide activist and legal U.S. resident Mahmoud Khalil.
A U.S. judge ordered on Friday that Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, be immediately released from immigration custody. Khalil was arrested by immigration agents due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests in Manhattan on March 8.
SEE: US judge orders release of pro-Palestinian activist Khalil | Reuters
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“We welcome this latest federal court decision ordering the release of political prisoner Mahmoud Khalil. It is long past time for the Justice Department to start respecting free speech and stop stubbornly playing games with Mr. Khalil’s freedom. The First Amendment simply does not permit the government to punish free speech for the benefit of the Israeli government. The Trump administration should release Mahmoud Khalil now, without further obstruction or delay.”
Earlier this month, CAIR welcomed a federal judge’s ruling that Khalil must be released from detention.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com