Judge rules Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil eligible for deportation amid Pro-Palestinian activism
A federal judge halts deportation of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, spotlighting free speech, immigration law, and campus activism in a tense U.S. debate.
A U.S. immigration judge in Louisiana has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and legal permanent resident, is eligible for deportation due to his participation in pro-Palestinian campus protests. The decision is based on a Cold War-era statute that allows deportation if a noncitizen's presence is deemed to have serious adverse foreign policy consequences, as determined by the Secretary of State.
Columbia student’s detention over activism sparks free speech concerns and legal backlash
Khalil was arrested on March 8 and has been detained in Jena, Louisiana, far from his legal counsel and pregnant wife. He faces no criminal charges; the government's case hinges on his activism being considered a national security risk.
The ruling has sparked criticism from civil rights advocates who argue that it infringes on free speech rights. Khalil's legal team contends that the deportation proceedings are politically motivated and an abuse of immigration law to silence dissent.
Judge Halts Khalil's deportation amid legal fight over free speech and campus activism
A federal judge in New Jersey has temporarily blocked Khalil's deportation while reviewing the constitutionality of his detention. The legal battle continues as Khalil's attorneys plan to appeal the deportation ruling.
The case has drawn national attention amid a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on campus protests perceived as anti-Israel. Supporters of Khalil emphasize the implications for free speech and the rights of noncitizen activists in the United States.