US says it will keep detaining pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil
Share this @internewscast.com


A federal judge on Friday determined that Mahmoud Khalil, the pro-Palestinian activist from Columbia University, will remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention after the federal government pivoted its legal strategy.

The Trump administration argued Friday it could detain Khalil, a green card holder, under the justification he kept some of his prior work off his application for permanent residency.

The change comes after District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled Wednesday the federal government could not detain Khalil due to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s determination he is a threat to U.S. foreign policy. 

“Khalil is now detained based on that other charge of removability,” the government argued Friday. “Detaining Khalil based on that other ground of removal is lawful.”

The decision isn’t a shock after Farbiarz said in his Wednesday ruling the Trump administration could appeal or keep detaining Khalil based off other justifications.  

“To be sure, it might be argued that the Petitioner would be detained anyway. After all, as noted above, the Department of Homeland Security is seeking to remove the Petitioner based not only on the Secretary of State’s determination but also on a second basis, the Petitioner’s alleged failure to accurately complete his lawful-permanent-resident application,” he wrote at the time.     

The federal government waited until the last moment to present their argument, after Farbiarz originally said Khalil, an Algerian citizen, was to be released by 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning.  

That time came and went, and Khalil was not released, with his lawyers submitting a filing asking the judge to explicitly order his release. The judge gave the Trump administration until 1:30 p.m. to respond.  

Khalil, the lead negotiator for Columbia’s pro-Palestinian encampment last spring, was arrested on March 8, becoming the first known activist to come under the wrath of the Trump’s administration’s foreign student crackdown.    

He has been in detention for three months and missed the birth of his first child.  

“The most immediate and visceral harms I have experienced directly relate to the birth of my son, Deen. Instead of holding my wife’s hand in the delivery room, I was crouched on a detention center floor, whispering through a crackling phone line as she labored alone,” he wrote in court filings last week. 

“I listened to her pain, trying to comfort her while 70 other men slept around me,” he added. 

There are other pro-Palestinian activists who have been released while their immigration proceedings play out in the courts.   

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Actor Julian McMahon Passes Away Following a Private Struggle with Cancer

Renowned actor Julian McMahon, celebrated for his performances in FBI: Most Wanted,…

Essential Boating Safety Tips for the Fourth of July Weekend

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Boating is a popular way to observe Independence…

Nick Hankins Jr. Talks About His Decision to Commit to Illinois Football

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A key element of Bret Bielema’s strategy with…

Iran’s Supreme Leader Breaks Silence with First Public Appearance Since Start of Iran-Israel Conflict

TEHRAN – On Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his…

Tucker Carlson Speaks with Iranian President as MAGA Supporters Divided Over Iran-Israel Tensions

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson said Saturday he would soon air…

Paxton’s 41st Annual Traditional Fourth of July Celebration

More than 700 attendees gathered at Pells Park in Paxton to celebrate…

Julian McMahon, Known for ‘Nip/Tuck’ and ‘Fantastic Four,’ Passes Away at Age 56

Julian McMahon, recognized for his role as Dr. Doom in the “Fantastic…

Living History Park Reopens as Part of North Augusta’s July 4th Celebration

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. ()- Of all the July 4th celebrations Friday, North…

Elon Musk Unveils New Political Group, the ‘America Party’

Tech billionaire Elon Musk said Saturday he has officially formed the “America…

Rep. Greene Advocates for Legislation to Ban ‘Weather Modification’ Practices

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said Saturday she plans to introduce a…

Champaign Library Holds Discussion on Reducing Youth Violence

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In Champaign, the community came together Thursday night…

Ketanji Brown Jackson Shows Her Independent Spirit Among Fellow Justices

To hear Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson tell it, it’s a “perilous moment…