Umar Khalid's father, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, met New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the US. Mamdani expressed concern over Khalid's incarceration and wrote him a letter, stating he thinks of Khalid's words on bitterness and the importance of not letting it consume oneself. Mamdani also drew parallels between himself and Khalid for raising common people's issues. This meeting occurred shortly before Khalid was to be granted bail for his sister's wedding. US lawmakers have also expressed concern over Khalid's prolonged pre-trial detention.