Judge Grants Freedom to Columbia Activist Mahmoud Khalil: What It Means for Activism and Justice

A federal judge has ordered Mahmoud Khalil to be released from immigration custody. This decision comes after Khalil was detained for over three months due to his pro-Palestinian activism at Columbia University. His arrest marked him as the first student targeted for deportation under the Trump administration’s crackdown.

Judge Michael Farbiarz of the U.S. District Court for New Jersey spoke during a phone hearing, calling the government’s actions regarding Khalil "highly unusual." He stated that there was a likely chance that Khalil’s arrest was unconstitutional, pointing to concerns that the immigration charges were being used as punishment for his activism.

Khalil is a legal resident and is married to a U.S. citizen. Their first child was born in April while Khalil remained detained. Alina Das, one of his lawyers, expressed relief at the ruling, stating, "No one should fear being jailed for speaking out in this country." She added that they were excited for Khalil to reunite with his family.

After the ruling, a Justice Department lawyer requested a delay in Khalil’s release for an appeal, which the judge denied. However, Khalil must surrender his Algerian passport as a condition of his release while his case continues.

Khalil was arrested on March 8 at his New York apartment after Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered his deportation, claiming his activism was a threat to U.S. foreign policy. The government has yet to provide evidence to support this claim, and Khalil has not faced any criminal charges.

According to recent statistics from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), immigration enforcement actions against activists have increased by over 30% in recent years. This troubling trend has raised concerns among human rights groups, who argue that such actions threaten the freedom of speech.

As the case progresses in federal court, Khalil will remain on bail, awaiting the next steps in his legal battle. It’s a significant moment not just for him, but for the discourse around activism and immigration in the U.S.

For more on the impact of immigration laws on activism, visit the ACLU’s website.

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