Federal

Federal Judge Orders Release of Former Columbia Student Detained Amid Controversy Over Pro-Palestinian Protests

by

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 … Read more

States Push Back Against Federal Funding Conditions in Controversial Immigration Lawsuit

by

Providence, Rhode Island — In late April, state officials received a stern warning from the Department of Transportation (DOT), urging cooperation on immigration initiatives or facing potential cuts to critical funding. Though no immediate funds were revoked, states expressed concerns that cuts were on the horizon. In May, the attorneys general from a coalition of states, including California, New York, and Illinois, filed a lawsuit challenging a new directive dubbed the “Duffy Directive.” This legal action stems from claims that the directive imposes unconstitutional mandates on states, compelling them to either comply with federal immigration … Read more

Federal Judge Delays Trial for Milwaukee County Judge Facing Obstruction Charges Over Immigration Controversy

by

MILWAUKEE — A federal judge has postponed the trial of a Milwaukee County judge who faces charges of obstructing immigration enforcement. The decision follows a request from Judge Hannah Dugan to have the charges against her dismissed. Dugan has been accused of assisting an undocumented immigrant in avoiding detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during an incident at the Milwaukee County Courthouse in April. The federal judge presiding over the case aims to first address Dugan’s motion to dismiss the charges before proceeding with the trial. In a court filing with the … Read more

Federal Judge Compels NIH to Reinstate Diversity Research Grants, Igniting New Conversations on Equity in Science

by

A federal judge in Washington ordered the National Institutes of Health to reinstate a set of research grants focused on enhancing diversity within the biomedical field. The verdict emerged from a dispute over funding allocations intended for projects that promote inclusivity and broaden participation in health research. The controversy traces back to the NIH’s decision to cut funding for certain grants that aimed to support underrepresented groups in scientific research. Critics of this move argued that the decision undermined efforts to create a more equitable environment in the research community. The NIH had justified its … Read more