A legal dispute over the detention of a Columbia University student, which has become a focal point of the Trump administration’s immigration policy, will proceed in federal court. On Tuesday, the U.S. government indicated it would oppose the Palestinian activist’s request for release.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman in Manhattan had temporarily blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, 29, on Monday, scheduling a hearing for Wednesday. The government plans to argue that Judge Furman lacks the authority to resolve the case and believes the judge should first address this jurisdictional question before considering the merits of Khalil’s arguments, according to a joint filing by both parties’ lawyers on Tuesday evening. The upcoming hearing will primarily focus on scheduling.
This case may set a precedent for determining the boundaries between protected free speech and alleged support for groups deemed terrorist organizations by the U.S. government. The Trump administration has indicated its desire to deport foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian activism. While the former president has publicly claimed that Khalil supports Hamas, no charges have been filed against him, nor has evidence been presented to substantiate these allegations.
Khalil, an outspoken activist at Columbia University, was deeply involved in the protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza following Hamas’ October 2023 attack. The U.S. government designates Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization, following its involvement in the deadly assault that killed over 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities, and led to significant casualties in Gaza.
On social media, former President Trump labeled Khalil a “Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student” and suggested further arrests would follow. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt accused Khalil of “siding with terrorists” and argued that U.S. national security interests justify the revocation of permanent residency for those opposing U.S. foreign policy.
Leavitt also referenced flyers with Hamas’ logo allegedly distributed at protests Khalil was involved in, but no direct evidence of his participation was presented.
In legal filings, Khalil’s attorneys defended his actions, describing him as a “mediator and negotiator” and asserting that his advocacy for Palestinians falls under the First Amendment’s protections for free speech. Columbia University has acknowledged Khalil as a key negotiator who represented the protesters in their demands to divest the university’s endowment from companies with ties to the military and Israel.
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