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Columbia Grad Detained: Trump Admin Defies Court Order, Keeping Palestinian Activist Imprisoned

Columbia Grad Detained: Trump Admin Defies Court Order, Keeping Palestinian Activist Imprisoned

Columbia Grad Detained: Trump Admin Defies Court Order, Keeping Palestinian Activist Imprisoned

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Photo by tamara garcevic on Unsplash

Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist, remains detained in a Louisiana facility despite a federal judge’s order for his release. The Trump administration missed a deadline to appeal the ruling, prompting Khalil’s lawyers to demand his immediate freedom.

Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled Wednesday that Khalil’s detention, based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assertion that his pro-Palestinian advocacy harms U.S. foreign policy interests, was unconstitutional. The judge granted a temporary injunction against Khalil’s deportation, giving the government until Friday morning to appeal. When the deadline passed without action, Khalil’s legal team declared the continued detention unlawful and arbitrary.

However, the government claims the judge’s order doesn’t mandate Khalil’s release. They argue they are now detaining him on separate allegations related to his 2024 residency application, specifically, alleged undisclosed memberships and affiliations. Khalil’s lawyers dismiss these allegations as baseless.

The government’s actions have drawn sharp criticism. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin previously stated the government would challenge the ruling, claiming it undermined the President’s powers and “delays justice.” This stance, coupled with the missed deadline, has intensified calls for Khalil’s release.

Khalil, a legal permanent resident, has been detained since March 9th. His detention has sparked widespread concern, particularly given his active role in campus protests against Israeli military actions and Columbia’s ties to Israel. He also acted as a mediator between students and the university administration.

Adding to the emotional weight of the situation, Khalil recently met his one-month-old son for the first time since his arrest. His wife accepted his diploma from Columbia University on his behalf last month.

The case highlights a clash between free speech, immigration policy, and the complexities of U.S. foreign relations. The ongoing legal battle underscores the high stakes for Khalil and raises serious questions about due process and the limits of government power.

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Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Pro-Palestinian Activist Based on Vague Immigration Law

Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Pro-Palestinian Activist Based on Vague Immigration Law

Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Pro-Palestinian Activist Based on Vague Immigration Law

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Photo by Metin Ozer on Unsplash

A New Jersey federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to deport or detain Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestinian activist. The ruling hinges on a rarely used provision of immigration law, deemed unconstitutionally vague by Judge Michael Farbiarz. The judge found that Khalil’s detention, based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assessment that Khalil’s advocacy compromised foreign policy, caused irreparable harm to his career and reputation, effectively chilling his speech.

The judge rejected the government’s secondary argument for detention—alleged inaccuracies in Khalil’s residency application—finding that such omissions rarely result in detention for lawful permanent residents. This strongly suggests that the Secretary of State’s determination, rather than the secondary charge, was the primary driver of Khalil’s 13-week detention in a Louisiana immigration center.

The ruling is significant as it’s the first to prevent the deportation of an international student solely on foreign policy grounds. The government has until Friday to appeal. While a parallel immigration case in Louisiana ordered Khalil’s deportation, his legal team is actively challenging this decision, citing potential risks to Khalil’s safety should he be deported.

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Victory (For Now): Mahmoud Khalil’s Fight for Freedom

Victory (For Now): Mahmoud Khalil’s Fight for Freedom

Victory (For Now): Mahmoud Khalil’s Fight for Freedom

Victory (For Now): Mahmoud Khalil's Fight for Freedom
Image from Bing News.

Hey friend, you won’t believe this!

Remember Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University student arrested and detained by ICE for over two months? The guy who was facing deportation simply for participating in pro-Palestinian protests? Well, there’s been a major development.

A federal judge has ordered his release! This is a huge win for Mahmoud and a significant blow against the Trump administration’s attempts to silence dissent.

The government has 40 hours to appeal, so he’s not completely free yet. He’ll likely remain in custody until at least Friday, but this ruling is a massive step in the right direction. His lawyer, Ramzi Kassem, co-director of CLEAR (a legal nonprofit), rightly calls it a “significant vindication of Mahmoud’s rights,” but stresses the fight isn’t over until Mahmoud is home with his wife and newborn child (yes, his wife gave birth while he was detained thousands of miles away in Louisiana!).

The whole thing is incredibly frustrating. The Trump administration’s justification? Basically, they claimed Mahmoud’s activism against Israeli policies damaged US foreign policy interests. They even submitted a memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Mahmoud could be expelled *for his beliefs*, with zero evidence of criminal activity. This is a blatant attempt to suppress free speech and target pro-Palestinian voices.

This isn’t just about Mahmoud. The administration’s actions are part of a broader pattern: withholding funding from universities that don’t punish pro-Palestinian protesters and revoking visas from international students who criticize Israel. It’s a chilling attack on academic freedom and the right to protest.

The initial accusations linking Mahmoud to Hamas haven’t been substantiated – the government hasn’t produced any evidence. The judge previously ruled that expelling him on these grounds was likely unconstitutional. This latest ruling reinforces that.

So, while the fight continues, this is a significant victory. Let’s hope Mahmoud is free soon and can be reunited with his family. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of fighting for our rights, even when facing seemingly insurmountable odds.

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