historica.fandom.com/wiki/Mahmoud_Khalil
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration cannot deport or continue detaining Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist and lawful permanent U.S. resident who was arrested by immigration officials in March.
However, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz delayed enforcement of his ruling until the morning of June 13, allowing the federal government time to appeal. As a result, Khalil will remain in detention at least until then.
In a strongly worded written decision, Judge Farbiarz concluded that there was no compelling reason to justify the continued detention or potential deportation of the 30-year-old activist. Khalil has been held at an immigration detention facility in Louisiana since his arrest at his home in New York.
Khalil was taken into custody as part of former President Donald Trump’s broader initiative targeting international students and activists involved in protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. His case has drawn widespread attention, with video footage of his arrest circulating widely online. Public interest surged again in April when news broke that Khalil’s wife had given birth to their first child while he remained in custody.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously determined that Khalil’s activities posed a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests, recommending his removal from the country. But Judge Farbiarz questioned the legitimacy of relying on that determination as grounds for detention or deportation, arguing it did not meet the legal threshold for such severe action.
The judge also noted that Khalil’s continued confinement was causing him serious personal and professional harm. “Mr. Khalil’s career and reputation are being damaged, and his speech is being chilled — and this adds up to irreparable harm,” Farbiarz wrote, adding that he expects Khalil to ultimately prevail in his legal challenge.
The federal government is widely expected to appeal the injunction.
Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who are representing Khalil, praised the judge’s ruling. “Today’s ruling is a huge win for the Constitution and the rights of citizens and non-citizens alike,” said Brett Max Kaufman, senior counsel at the ACLU. “No one should be imprisoned or deported for their political beliefs.”
Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, has called for his immediate release so he can return home and be with her and their newborn son, Deen.
In a statement issued through the ACLU, Abdalla said: “I will not rest until Mahmoud is free, and hope that he can be with us to experience his first Father’s Day at home.”
