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Authorities have also alleged that Khalil supports Hamas, the Palestinian militant group responsible for the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attacks against Israel. His deportation case has relied in part on a seldom-used federal statute that allows noncitizens to be removed from the U.S. if their beliefs pose a potential threat to American foreign policy interests.
Despite the accusations, Mamdani praised Khalil’s character on social media, framing his ordeal as both challenging and inspiring. “His year has been marked by profound hardship—and by profound courage,” the mayor wrote.
Mamdani continued, “And yet, even in the face of that cruelty, there has also been beauty. New Yorkers raising their voices in solidarity. A city refusing to look away. Mahmoud won his freedom, and a father was finally reunited with his child.”
Khalil spent several months in federal custody in Louisiana while his case worked its way through the courts. During that time, his son was born, and Khalil remained separated from his family. “Mahmoud is a New Yorker, and he belongs in New York City,” Mamdani declared.
The mayor has repeatedly defended Khalil, arguing that the case raises significant questions about free speech protections. “I see this attack on him as part of a larger attack on the freedom of speech that is especially pronounced when it comes to the use of that speech to stand up for policy to human rights,” Mamdani said at a January press conference.
Khalil has drawn sharp criticism for comments he made regarding the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. In an interview with The New York Times, he framed the violence as a milestone in the Palestinian struggle:
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t avoid such a moment,” Khalil said. “To me, it felt frightening that we had to reach this moment in the Palestinian struggle.”
Critics argued that his remarks seemed to justify or minimize the deadly attacks. The White House condemned Khalil at the time, accusing him of downplaying the brutality of the assault.
Khalil attracted further attention after his release, appearing at an anti-Israel rally in New York City where he cited Anas al-Sharif, an alleged Hamas operative and Al Jazeera correspondent killed in an Israeli strike last August. “The time is now, the bridges towards liberation start with us,” Khalil said, repeating what he described as al-Sharif’s final words.
The Gracie Mansion dinner underscores the ongoing controversy surrounding Khalil, whose legal battles and public appearances continue to ignite debate among politicians, activists, and the public alike. For Mamdani, the gathering was a symbolic moment, yet critics argue it raises serious questions about judgment and the messages city leaders are sending.
