Court Blocks Deportation of Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil, Citing Free Speech Violations in Face of Trump Administration’s Policies

Newark, New Jersey — A U.S. District Court has ordered a temporary halt to the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and graduate student at Columbia University. This ruling, issued by Judge Michael Farbiarz, comes amid concerns over Khalil’s treatment following his vocal opposition to U.S. foreign policy in Gaza and his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Judge Farbiarz’s preliminary injunction, announced on Wednesday, prohibits government authorities from detaining or deporting Khalil based on claims that his actions jeopardize U.S. foreign policy interests. This decision targets assertions made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who … Read more

Court Upholds Free Speech for Activist in High-Profile Animal Rescue Case Against Perdue Farms

SANTA ROSA, Calif. – A Sonoma County judge declined a request on Wednesday from prosecutors to impose a gag order on animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg, allowing her to speak freely about her ongoing criminal case. Rosenberg is charged with rescuing four sick chickens from a Perdue-owned slaughterhouse in June 2023. Superior Court Judge Kenneth Gnoss deemed the proposed gag order “overbroad and vague by any constitutional standard.” His ruling highlighted the importance of public discourse surrounding the case, which features perspectives from both Rosenberg’s supporters and critics, including Bill Mattos, president of the California … Read more

Federal Court Challenges Trump’s Deportation Tactics Against Pro-Palestinian Activist, Cites Constitutional Concerns

A federal court in Newark, New Jersey, has raised constitutional concerns regarding the deportation proceedings of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist with legal residency in the United States. Judge Michael Farbiarz’s ruling, delivered on Wednesday, questioned the validity of the grounds on which the Trump administration is seeking his expulsion. Despite the significant implications of the case, the judge did not order Khalil’s immediate release, indicating that further legal deliberations are necessary. Khalil, a Columbia University alumnus, has been held in a Louisiana detention center since March without facing any criminal charges. The government’s move … Read more

Judge Grants Emotional Reunion for Detained Activist and Newborn Son Amid Controversy Over Family Separation

NEW YORK — Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil met his one-month-old son for the first time on Thursday after a federal judge intervened in a case that has sparked controversy over family separation and political motivations behind detentions. Khalil has been held in a Louisiana jail since March 8, marking him as the first individual arrested under the Trump administration’s aggressive stance against protests related to the conflict in Gaza. Khalil, a legal permanent resident and a Columbia University alum, faced challenges in seeking permission to attend his son’s birth. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement initially … Read more