Judge Orders Release of Columbia Activist Khalil

A federal judge has ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist, from ICE detention after over three months in custody. Khalil, a lawful permanent resident, was arrested in March during the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian student protestors, with authorities initially claiming his presence threatened U.S. foreign policy. The government sought to deport Khalil under a rarely used law invoked by the Secretary of State, but the court found this likely unconstitutional and noted Khalil was neither a flight risk nor a danger. Later, the government argued for his deportation based on alleged omissions in his green card application, which his lawyers dispute. Khalil’s case has become central to debates over the rights of foreign students and political speech, drawing significant protest and condemnation from civil rights groups. His immigration proceedings are ongoing, and the case continues to attract legal and political scrutiny.