Mahmoud Khalil Held as Legal Battle Over Deportation Intensifies

Mahmoud Khalil Held as Legal Battle Over Deportation Intensifies \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student, will remain detained in Louisiana while his lawyers fight his deportation. Arrested for his role in pro-Palestinian campus protests, Khalil’s detention has sparked nationwide protests. While the Trump administration defends its decision, critics argue the move is unconstitutional and politically motivated.

Columbia Grad Student’s Detention Sparks Legal Battle – Quick Look

• Mahmoud Khalil, 30, a Columbia University graduate student, remains detained in Louisiana amid deportation proceedings.
• He was arrested in New York City for his role in pro-Palestinian campus protests and faces deportation under a rarely used law.
• His lawyers claim he was targeted for his activism and denied access to legal counsel before Wednesday’s court hearing.
• The Trump administration has labeled Khalil a national security threat, citing foreign policy grounds for deportation.
• Protests have erupted across the U.S., with hundreds demonstrating outside the Manhattan courthouse.
• The case has divided Jewish organizations, with some supporting the deportation while others call it an attack on free speech.
• Khalil has no criminal record and is a permanent U.S. resident married to an American citizen.

Deep Look

A Columbia University graduate student will remain detained in Louisiana while his legal team battles the Trump administration’s efforts to deport him over his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests.

Mahmoud Khalil, 30, a permanent U.S. resident married to an American citizen, was arrested Saturday in New York City. His detention has drawn widespread protests and sparked a heated legal and political debate over immigration laws, free speech, and government overreach.

Court Hearing and Ongoing Legal Battle

Khalil’s legal team appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, arguing that his arrest and detention are politically motivated. Judge Jesse M. Furman, who had previously ordered that Khalil not be deported while his case is under review, ruled that:

• Khalil will remain in Louisiana for now instead of being transferred back to New York.
• His legal team must be granted phone access to speak with him at least twice this week.
• A joint letter from both sides must be submitted by Friday to outline legal arguments for the next steps.

Khalil’s lawyer, Ramzi Kassem, argued that his client was “identified, targeted, and detained” for his political speech and had not been given a single confidential phone call with his attorneys since his arrest.

Kassem also emphasized that Khalil has no criminal convictions and that his detention is retaliation against his activism.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department, represented by Brandon Waterman, pushed to move the case to Louisiana or New Jersey, citing the fact that Khalil had been held in detention centers in both states.

Khalil’s legal team is expected to update their lawsuit on Thursday, as the battle over his fate intensifies.

Protests and Public Outcry

Khalil’s detention has sparked mass protests in New York City and beyond, with hundreds of demonstrators gathering outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan on Wednesday.

Protesters, many wearing keffiyehs and masks, chanted for Khalil’s immediate release, waved Palestinian flags, and banged drums.

Among those speaking out was Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon, who left the courtroom to tell reporters:

“No matter where you stand on genocide, freedom of speech is a right that we all have. This is a turning point in the history and freedom of this country.”

Inside the courtroom, Khalil’s supporters remained calm but defiant, listening as his attorneys laid out their case.

Kassem addressed the crowd outside, calling Khalil’s arrest “extraordinary, shocking, and outrageous.”

“It should outrage anybody who believes that speech should be free in the United States of America.”

Trump Administration’s Stance on Khalil’s Deportation

The Trump administration has defended Khalil’s arrest, arguing that he represents a national security threat.

• Former President Donald Trump hailed the arrest as “the first of many” and vowed to deport students engaged in “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity.”
• Tom Homan, Trump’s Border Czar, justified the move by stating: “Can you stand in a movie theater and yell fire? Can you slander somebody verbally? Free speech has limitations.”
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters while en route to Canada, dismissed concerns about free speech, stating: “This is about people that don’t have a right to be in the United States to begin with.”

Khalil, however, is not on a student visa—he is a green card holder, a detail critics say undermines the administration’s legal justification for his deportation.

Jewish Organizations Divided on Khalil’s Detention

Khalil’s case has split Jewish organizations, reflecting broader tensions within the U.S. over free speech and campus activism.

• The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed Khalil’s detention, saying it could serve as a deterrent against anti-Semitism on college campuses: “We appreciate the Trump Administration’s broad, bold set of efforts to counter campus antisemitism.”
• However, Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, condemned the move: “The Trump administration is exploiting real concerns about antisemitism to undercut democracy.”

This divide underscores how deeply polarizing Khalil’s case has become, touching on issues of free speech, immigration policy, and anti-Semitism in academia.

Who Is Mahmoud Khalil?

Khalil, who finished his Columbia master’s degree requirements in December, is of Syrian-Palestinian descent. His grandparents were forced to flee Palestine, a history that has shaped his outspoken activism for Palestinian rights.

His wife, who is pregnant with their first child, has joined his legal team and supporters in demanding his release.

Despite being a legal U.S. resident, Khalil has been detained under a rarely used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the Secretary of State to deport a noncitizen for foreign policy reasons.

Critics say this sets a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing the deportation of individuals based solely on their political beliefs.

What Happens Next?

• Khalil’s legal team will update their lawsuit on Thursday to challenge his detention.
• Judge Furman will review legal arguments next week, determining whether Khalil can be moved back to New York or if the case will be transferred.
• Protests are expected to escalate as activists demand his release and the protection of free speech rights.
• The Trump administration remains firm in its push for more deportations under this precedent.

With legal, political, and activist battles ahead, Khalil’s case is shaping up to be a landmark test of immigration law and First Amendment rights in the U.S.

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