In a heartbreaking case highlighting ongoing concerns about immigrant detention conditions, Mahmoud Khalil, a detained immigrant, has been denied the chance to hold his newborn son for the first time, even after his wife traveled over 1,000 miles to visit him.
The detention is managed by the private prison contractor GEO Group under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite repeated requests, both ICE and GEO Group have refused to allow Khalil a contact visit with his family.
Advocates and Khalil’s legal team have now filed an urgent petition in federal court, demanding that ICE grant the contact visit, citing humanitarian and parental rights.
“Denying Mahmoud this fundamental moment with his newborn is cruel and unnecessary,” said Maya Jenkins, a spokesperson for the immigrant rights group supporting Khalil. “It’s a glaring example of how private detention contractors prioritize control over compassion.”
The case has sparked outrage among immigrant advocacy groups, who argue that such policies contribute to emotional trauma and violate basic human rights.
ICE has yet to publicly comment on the lawsuit or the specific incident, but critics say this refusal reflects a broader pattern of inhumane treatment within immigrant detention centers.
Mahmoud’s wife, who made the long journey hoping to reunite her family, expressed deep disappointment. “We just want to be together as a family. This is not just about rules it’s about love and dignity,” she said.
The federal court is expected to hear the case in the coming weeks, with many watching closely as a potential test of how immigration detention policies balance security with humanity.
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