NEW YORK — A federal judge has ruled against Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, declining to release him from immigration detention despite previously questioning the legality of his impending deportation. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz stated that Khalil has not yet sufficiently demonstrated that his detention is unlawful.
Khalil, a former student at Columbia University, has been in custody since March. The judge’s earlier consideration indicated that the government’s attempt to remove him from the United States on foreign policy grounds might violate constitutional protections. However, the federal government later submitted documents asserting it could continue detaining Khalil based on an alleged misrepresentation on his green card application.
In his ruling issued on Friday, Farbiarz noted that Khalil’s legal team had not provided adequate proof that his continued detention was unconstitutional. He suggested that Khalil could seek bail from an immigration judge in Louisiana as a possible next step.
Amy Greer, one of Khalil’s attorneys, criticized the government’s legal tactics as “cruel, transparent delay tactics.” She emphasized that her client is unable to be with his family, including his wife and newborn son, as they approach their first Father’s Day together. “It is unjust, it is shocking, and it is disgraceful,” she stated.
Khalil has disputed accusations that he failed to disclose critical information on his application. He argued that he never served as an “officer” for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, but instead completed an internship that was sanctioned by his university. Khalil also clarified that he ended his work with the British Embassy in Beirut in December 2022 upon relocating to the U.S.
Earlier in the day, Khalil’s legal team requested his release, claiming he had complied with all court requirements. They pointed out that the government’s attorneys had missed a deadline to contest the judge’s previous ruling.
In a show of solidarity, the American Civil Liberties Union released a video featuring several celebrity fathers, including Mark Ruffalo and Mahershala Ali, reading a letter Khalil wrote to his son from detention. Khalil’s message highlights the struggles faced by those advocating for Palestinian rights, underscoring the challenges of his situation.
Khalil’s detention began on March 8 at his apartment in Manhattan due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. His arrest marked one of the first actions taken under the Trump administration’s aggressive stance against students participating in protests against the conflict in Gaza.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that Khalil’s presence in the country could jeopardize American foreign policy. Khalil’s attorneys countered that the administration seeks to suppress free speech and dissent.
Despite not being charged with any legal violations during the protests at Columbia, Khalil has gained attention due to his active role as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists. The Trump administration’s contention is that noncitizens participating in protests with perceived antisemitic themes should be expelled from the country.
This situation continues to draw scrutiny as advocates argue it represents a broader effort to stifle dissenting voices in the debate surrounding Palestine.
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