Judge Halts Deportation of Columbia Activist

Court Pauses Order Amidst Trump-Era Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Voices

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation and continued detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist arrested in March, but a delay means he remains incarcerated. The case highlights a broader pattern of scrutiny towards international students involved in protests concerning the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Legal Battle and Temporary Relief

Judge Michael Farbiarz issued an injunction Wednesday preventing the Trump administration from deporting or further detaining Khalil, a lawful permanent resident. However, the judge stayed the injunction until June 13th, allowing the government time to file an appeal, meaning Khalil will remain held in a Louisiana detention center for now.

The judge’s written decision asserted that there was no compelling reason to justify Khalil’s continued custody or deportation. He also expressed concern that the government’s justification—a determination by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Khalil’s activities compromised U.S. foreign policy—was improperly applied.

“His career and reputation are being damaged and his speech is being chilled — and this adds up to irreparable harm,”

—Michael Farbiarz, Judge

The ACLU is representing Khalil. According to a recent report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), there has been a 182% increase in civil rights complaints related to anti-Palestinian bias since October 7, 2023 (CAIR Report, May 2024).

Arrest and Family Impact

Khalil was arrested at his New York home as part of former President Donald Trump’s intensified efforts to target international students participating in demonstrations related to the Israel-Gaza war. His case gained prominence after videos of his arrest circulated widely online, and again when his wife, Noor Abdalla, gave birth to their child, Deen, while he was detained in April.

Abdalla has pleaded for her husband’s immediate release, hoping he can be home for Father’s Day. “I will not rest until Mahmoud is free, and hope that he can be with us to experience his first Father’s Day at home.” she stated in a release provided by the ACLU.

The federal government is anticipated to challenge the injunction. Brett Max Kaufman, a senior counsel for the ACLU, celebrated the ruling as a victory for constitutional rights. “Today’s ruling is a huge win for the Constitution and the rights of citizens and non-citizens alike,” he said. “No one should be imprisoned or deported for their political beliefs.”