NEW YORK — A federal judge has ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia University, from immigration detention. Khalil had been held since early March as the Trump administration sought to deport him following his involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz issued the order during a hearing conducted over the phone from New Jersey. He described it as “highly unusual” for the government to continue detaining a lawful permanent resident who posed no flight risk and had not been accused of any violent behavior. “He is not a danger to the community,” Farbiarz declared, emphasizing his decision.
Khalil was ordered to be released from a detention facility in Louisiana later that same day. Farbiarz criticized the government’s failure to meet the necessary standards for Khalil’s continued detention, stating that the evidence presented did not justify their actions.
This case garnered attention as Khalil was the first individual apprehended under the administration’s strict policies targeting students who protested against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously indicated that Khalil’s removal from the U.S. was necessary to safeguard American foreign policy interests.
Previously, Farbiarz had ruled that the government could not deport Khalil based solely on the political implications of his protests. However, the administration was permitted to explore deportation based on allegations that Khalil misrepresented information on his green card application, which he has denied.
Khalil’s legal team had requested either bail for his release or a transfer to a New Jersey facility to be closer to his family, including his wife and newborn son, both U.S. citizens. The judge noted Khalil’s rise to public prominence due to his involvement in campus protests, recognizing the attention surrounding his case.
He was detained on March 8 after being arrested at his Manhattan apartment. Advocacy groups argue that the Trump administration’s actions are an affront to free speech, as Khalil is not charged with any illegal activity stemming from his protests at Columbia University. Having served as a negotiator and spokesperson, Khalil did not face arrests during the demonstrations, yet his visibility in media coverage attracted criticism.
The administration’s stance has drawn scrutiny, as it labels noncitizens who participate in such protests as threats to national interests, interpreting their views as antisemitic. Throughout the proceedings, the prosecution provided no evidence linking Khalil to violent conduct or property damage, and the judge emphasized that he has no criminal record.
This ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over immigration policy and civil liberties in the United States.
This article was automatically written by Open AI and the people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate. Any article can be requested to be removed, retracted, or corrected by writing an email to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.