A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student and legal U.S. resident, who was detained by immigration officials and transferred to a Louisiana detention facility.
The case has drawn significant legal and political attention, raising concerns over due process and First Amendment protections.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman of the Southern District of New York issued an order halting Khalil’s deportation on Monday, citing the need to “preserve the Court’s jurisdiction pending a ruling on the petition.”
The ruling came just one day after Khalil’s attorneys filed an emergency motion seeking his return to New York, arguing that his sudden transfer to a facility nearly 1,000 miles away impeded his legal representation and access to his pregnant U.S. citizen wife.
Legal Questions Over Immigration Status and Arrest
Khalil was arrested by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents at his Columbia University residence on March 8. Initially, authorities claimed that his student visa had been revoked.
However, Khalil provided proof of his lawful permanent resident status. Despite this, agents allegedly asserted that his green card had also been rescinded by the U.S. State Department, a claim his legal team argues lacks legal foundation.
His attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention, emphasizing that there is no known legal mechanism allowing the State Department to unilaterally revoke permanent residency status granted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Allegations of Retaliation and Free Speech Concerns
Khalil’s legal team contends that his arrest and subsequent detention were politically motivated. As an outspoken pro-Palestine activist, he played a visible role in protests at Columbia University last year.
His attorneys argue that his detention constitutes retaliation for his political activism, setting a dangerous precedent for free speech and civil liberties.
A motion filed by Khalil’s legal representatives urges the court to order his return to New York under the All Writs Act, a statute that allows federal courts to issue necessary orders to protect their jurisdiction over pending legal matters.
Broader Political Context and Government Actions
The arrest comes as the Trump administration enacts sweeping immigration enforcement policies following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January. While officials initially emphasized a focus on individuals with criminal records, immigration authorities have expanded their enforcement scope in recent weeks.
In parallel, the administration has vowed to combat antisemitism on college campuses, particularly in response to pro-Palestine protests. Amid escalating tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict, the administration canceled approximately $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, citing student-led protests.
Former President Trump addressed Khalil’s arrest on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating that it was “the first… of many to come” and asserting that his administration would not tolerate “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity” on university campuses.
Congressional Response
Khalil’s case has sparked backlash from lawmakers. On Tuesday, a group of 14 U.S. legislators sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem demanding his immediate release. The letter states:
“Khalil has not been charged or convicted of any crime. As the Trump administration proudly admits, he was targeted solely for his activism. … This is an attempt to criminalize political protest and is a direct assault on the freedom of speech of everyone in this country.”
As the legal battle unfolds, Khalil remains in federal custody in Louisiana, awaiting further court proceedings that could determine whether he will be allowed to remain in the United States.
