Mahmoud Khalil, a detained Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate, is currently embroiled in a contentious legal battle over his deportation. Khalil has testified that his return to his home country could pose a lethal threat to his life and that of his family. Despite his pleas and a supportive outcry from protesters, a judge recently denied his request to terminate deportation proceedings. In a poignant turn of events, Khalil was allowed to meet and hold his newborn son for the first time after weeks of detention, a visitation granted despite objections from government lawyers. Activists continue to rally in his support, emphasizing the risks he faces and calling for an end to his prolonged detention. As his case unfolds in immigration court, questions remain about the implications of his potential deportation and the treatment he has received in custody.