Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil vows to keep fighting after returning home to New York

NEWARK, N.J. —After more than three months in immigration detention, Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil returned to the New York area, where his harrowing ordeal began.

NEWARK, N.J. —After more than three months in immigration detention, Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil returned to the New York area, where his harrowing ordeal began.

Immigration authorities arrested Khalil, 30, in March at the university housing complex where he lived in New York City. He was quickly transported thousands of miles away to a detention center in Louisiana, where he spent the last few months.

Khalil remained defiant as he spoke to reporters and supporters Saturday afternoon when he arrived at Newark International Airport.

"Your messages have kept me going. Still the fight is far from over, the genocide is still happening in Gaza, Israel is still waging a full war against Palestine," said Khalil, who was flanked by his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. "The U.S. government is funding this genocide, and Columbia University is investing in this genocide. This is why I was protesting, this is why I will continue protesting with every one of you, not only if they threaten me with detention. Even if they would kill me, I would still speak up for Gaza."

Asked what his message to the Trump administration would be, Khalil said, "Just the fact that I'm here sends a message."