Trump can no longer detain Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, US judge rules

Indian Express

a day ago

In a setback for the President Donald Trump's administration, a US federal judge ruled on Wednesday that Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil can no longer be detained on the basis of the claims that he is a threat to Washington's foreign policy but stopped short of ordering an immediate release of Khalil.
In his ruling, the US District Judge Michael Farbiarz who is based in Newark, New Jersey stated that his decision would take effect on Friday at 9:30 EDT (13:30 GMT) so that the federal government has a chance to appeal the decision. 'This is to allow the respondents to seek appellate review should they wish to,' the judge said.
Judge Farbiarz, in his verdict, noted that the Trump administration was violating the free speech right of student and activist Khalil by detaining and trying to deport him under a US immigration law which is rarely used, that gives power to US secretary of state to seek the deportation of any non-US citizen whose presence in the country is viewed as a threat to America's foreign policy.
Khalil was detained by US authorities in March after he had been deemed as a threat to US foreign policy by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Khalil has not been charged with any crime.
Judge Farbiarz, in his ruling, wrote 'The petitioner's career and reputation are being damaged and his speech is being chilled and this adds up to irreparable harm.'
The judge also barred the Trump administration from deporting Khalil on the similar grounds claimed by the latter that the Columbia University student's presence could harm US foreign policy.
After hearing about the court's decision, Khalil's wife Dr. Noor Abdalla said 'This is the news we've been waiting over three months for. Mahmoud must be released immediately and safely returned home to New York to be with me and our newborn baby, Deen,' Reuters reported.