Noor Abdalla, wife of detained activist Mahmoud Khalil, announced the birth of their son, who was delivered without his father present due to a denial by ICE for temporary release. Khalil was incarcerated over 1,000 miles away and could only witness the birth through a phone call. Despite requests for a humane furlough, ICE denied all options to facilitate the fatherâs presence. Khalil, arrested on grounds of posing a threat to U.S. foreign policy, faces deportation following an immigration judge's ruling, compounding their family's distress during a significant life event.
I welcomed our son into the world earlier today without Mahmoud by my side. Despite our request for ICE to allow Mahmoud to attend the birth, they denied his temporary release.
The Department of Homeland Security denied Khalil the opportunity to attend the birth of his first child, which he was only able to experience via a telephone call.
According to emails reviewed by the New York Times, Khalil's lawyers suggested several ways in which he could have attended the birth, including allowing him a two-week furlough.
A two-week furlough in this civil detention matter would be both reasonable and humane so that both parents can be present for the birth of their first child.
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