• Mahmoud Khalil released from 104 days of immigration detention in Louisiana.
• Vows to continue advocating for Palestinian rights and criticize U.S. policies.
• Khalil claims the U.S. government funds "genocide" in Gaza.
• U.S. District Judge ruled Khalil was not a danger and unlikely to flee.
• Trump administration plans to appeal the ruling and pursue deportation efforts.

Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, was released on Saturday after spending 104 days in federal immigration detention in Louisiana. His release followed a U.S. District Judge's ruling, stating it was "highly, highly unusual" for the government to detain legal residents without accusations of violence or risk of flight, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

Upon his release, Khalil expressed his determination to continue his activism, stating, "Even if they would kill me, I would still speak up for Palestine." He emphasized the need to advocate for Palestinian rights and criticized both the U.S. government's support for Israel and Columbia University's involvement in the conflict, as reported by Los Angeles Times and India Times.

Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was detained after immigration officials claimed he posed a security threat due to his involvement in campus protests against the Israeli military's actions in Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had argued that Khalil’s presence could undermine U.S. foreign policy interests, according to Reuters and ABC News.

During a press conference at Newark Liberty International Airport, where he was welcomed by supporters including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Khalil reiterated his commitment to free speech rights and denounced the Trump administration's actions, which he viewed as unconstitutional. Ocasio-Cortez stated Khalil's detention violated the First Amendment, labeling it an assault on democratic freedoms, as noted by HuffPost

While celebrating his release, Khalil remained aware of those still in detention, asserting, "Whether you are a citizen or an immigrant, you’re not illegal," a sentiment echoed by various advocacy groups fighting against the U.S. government's stance on immigration and speech rights. As the Trump administration prepares to appeal the decision to a higher court, Khalil plans to continue his advocacy and stand firm against perceived injustices, according to India Times and TRT Global.