Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil released following judge's order

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Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil was released on bail from an immigration detention center on Friday following an order by a judge. 

Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University, departed a federal facility in Louisiana before 7 p.m. on Friday and is anticipated to travel to New York, where his wife and infant child reside. Upon reaching New York, he is required to inform the Department of Homeland Security of his address within 48 hours.

In a ruling on Friday, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz expressed that it would be extremely uncommon to detain a lawful U.S. resident who does not appear to pose a flight risk and is not charged with violent crimes.

“Petitioner is not a flight risk and the evidence presented is that he is not a danger to the community,” Farbiarz said. “Period, full stop.”

Mahmoud Khalil walks free

Mahmoud Khalil posing for a picture as he leaves the detention center in Louisiana.  (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

Nonetheless, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited another justification for detaining Khalil and seeking deportation. DHS officials stated that Khalil allegedly failed to disclose crucial details in his green card application regarding his affiliations with certain organizations, including Columbia University Apartheid Divest.

Mahmoud Khalil walks free

Mahmoud Khalil needs to surrender his passport but will be given back his green card.  (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

Khalil’s case has become a lightning rod for anti-Israel protesters and immigration rights advocates. They have argued the Trump administration is retaliating against him for opposing the Israeli government and chilling free speech of those who oppose Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip and conflict with Iran.

ICE protesters march in San Francisco

Hundreds of anti-ICE protesters marching in April in San Francisco demanding Khalil’s release.  (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Khalil must surrender his passport but will be given his green card and will be allowed to travel to New York, Michigan, where he has family, New Jersey and Louisiana for court appearances, and Washington, D.C. for lobbying. 

The Trump administration is appealing the preliminary injunction and Khalil’s release to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Fox News’ Ashley Oliver and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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