Ruling is seen as a win for Khalil but does not guarantee he will be moved out of the detention facility in Louisiana.
A United States federal court judge has sided with Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, allowing him to challenge the legality of his arrest in New Jersey in the state where he is currently detained in Louisiana without charges.
This decision by US District Judge Michael Farbiarz marks the second time the President Donald Trump administration’s legal team has failed to move Columbia University student Khalil’s case to the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana – the country’s most conservative appeals court – in an effort to deport him.
Khalil’s lawyer, Baher Azmy, expressed gratitude that the court recognized the government’s attempts to manipulate judicial jurisdiction to hide their “unconstitutional” and “chilling” behavior.
Dr. Noor Abdalla, Khalil’s pregnant wife and a US citizen, acknowledged relief at the decision but emphasized that much work remains to secure Khalil’s release, as his green card was revoked by US authorities. A crowd gathered outside the Manhattan federal court in support of Khalil on March 12, 2025, in New York [Stefan Jeremiah/AP Photo].
While the recent decision is a win for Khalil, it only resolved the issue of which court would hear his case on the legality of the Trump administration’s efforts to deport him. This situation came about when Khalil was briefly held in a New Jersey detention facility after his arrest in Manhattan on March 8 and subsequently transferred to Louisiana.
Khalil’s case is seen as a test of Trump’s efforts to deport pro-Palestinian activists who have not been charged with any crime.
It has been reported that the Trump administration has revoked the visas of hundreds of foreign students who participated in demonstrations across college campuses in the US, protesting the government’s military support for Israel’s war on Gaza.
However, lawyers argue that the Trump administration has improperly targeted individuals based on their political views.
Additionally, Khalil’s lawyers have requested that Judge Farbiarz release their client from detention in Louisiana while efforts to deport him in a separate case before an immigration court are being determined. This request also included the desire to have Khalil present for the birth of his child.
A doctor’s letter filed in court estimates the baby is due on April 28.
This decision by US District Judge Michael Farbiarz marks the second time the President Donald Trump administration’s legal team has failed to move Columbia University student Khalil’s case to the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana – the country’s most conservative appeals court – in an effort to deport him.
Khalil’s lawyer, Baher Azmy, expressed gratitude that the court recognized the government’s attempts to manipulate judicial jurisdiction to hide their “unconstitutional” and “chilling” behavior.
Dr. Noor Abdalla, Khalil’s pregnant wife and a US citizen, acknowledged relief at the decision but emphasized that much work remains to secure Khalil’s release, as his green card was revoked by US authorities. A crowd gathered outside the Manhattan federal court in support of Khalil on March 12, 2025, in New York [Stefan Jeremiah/AP Photo].
While the recent decision is a win for Khalil, it only resolved the issue of which court would hear his case on the legality of the Trump administration’s efforts to deport him. This situation came about when Khalil was briefly held in a New Jersey detention facility after his arrest in Manhattan on March 8 and subsequently transferred to Louisiana.
Khalil’s case is seen as a test of Trump’s efforts to deport pro-Palestinian activists who have not been charged with any crime.
It has been reported that the Trump administration has revoked the visas of hundreds of foreign students who participated in demonstrations across college campuses in the US, protesting the government’s military support for Israel’s war on Gaza.
However, lawyers argue that the Trump administration has improperly targeted individuals based on their political views.
Additionally, Khalil’s lawyers have requested that Judge Farbiarz release their client from detention in Louisiana while efforts to deport him in a separate case before an immigration court are being determined. This request also included the desire to have Khalil present for the birth of his child.
A doctor’s letter filed in court estimates the baby is due on April 28.
