Court blocks deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, rejects transfer of his case to Louisiana
Columbia activist, Mahmoud Khalil (Photo: Getty Images)
A federal judge ruled that detained Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil can challenge his deportation in New Jersey rather than Louisiana, AP News reports.
Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old US permanent resident with no criminal record, was detained by federal immigration agents for his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. After his arrest, he was transferred from a detention center in New Jersey to an immigration facility in Louisiana.
Judge Jesse Furman halted Khalil’s deportation, calling his case "exceptional" and requiring a thorough review to determine whether the government had exercised its authority "in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner."
Dr. Noor Abdalla, Khalil’s wife, has been demanding his release, calling his detention unlawful. "We will not stop fighting until he is home," she said.
Authorities invoke rare law to justify deportation
The Trump administration is attempting to deport Khalil under a rarely used statute that grants the government sweeping powers to remove individuals deemed to pose a "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequence for the United States."
The White House has accused Khalil of "siding with terrorists" but has yet to provide supporting evidence. President Trump has called Khalil’s case "the first of many to come."
