Federal judge rules Trump cannot deport or detain Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil.

In a significant legal ruling, a federal judge in New Jersey has decided that Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestinian activist currently detained in Louisiana, cannot be deported or held in custody by immigration authorities at this time. Judge Michael Farbiarz’s decision, issued on Wednesday, grants Khalil’s motion for release, indicating that the Trump administration’s rationale for detaining him lacks a constitutional basis.

Khalil’s potential deportation stems from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assertion that Khalil’s advocacy for Palestinian rights could jeopardize U.S. foreign policy interests. The judge expressed skepticism about the legal soundness of this argument, previously indicating that the provision of immigration law being used against Khalil was “vague” and possibly unconstitutional. This ruling marks a pivotal moment in which a federal court has determined that international students cannot be deported solely on foreign policy grounds.

Khalil’s attorneys praised the ruling as a validation of Khalil’s position that detaining or deporting him based solely on a political determination is unjust. His legal representatives, including Ramzi Kassem of The CLEAR Project at CUNY Law School, have emphasized that Khalil’s continued detention is unwarranted and detrimental to his reputation and professional future.

The judge had earlier highlighted the damaging effects that prolonged incarceration could have on Khalil’s career and public expression. He found that Khalil’s speech is being stifled by the threat of deportation, leading to what he characterized as irreparable harm.

With the government having until Friday morning to appeal the ruling, officials from the Department of Justice and Homeland Security have yet to clarify their intentions regarding further legal action. Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, expressed relief at the court’s decision, hoping that her husband would be home in time for Father’s Day to meet their newborn son.

This case is further complicated by dual allegations against Khalil, including claims of inaccuracies in his application for permanent residency. Judge Farbiarz dismissed the argument that these allegations justify continued detention, suggesting that such considerations are secondary to the politically motivated reasons for Khalil’s current detention.

Alongside his battle to secure his freedom in New Jersey, Khalil is fighting deportation proceedings in Louisiana. His initial detention came shortly after his arrest in March at his Columbia-owned apartment, where the government initiated action to revoke his green card. The outcome of these proceedings, along with the administration’s response to the judge’s ruling, remains to be seen.

The ongoing struggles highlighted by this legal battle reflect broader issues surrounding immigration rights, free speech, and the implications of U.S. foreign policy on individuals advocating for political causes. As Khalil’s case progresses, it underscores a crucial intersection between activism and legal frameworks in contemporary American society.

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