A federal judge in New York ruled on the matter of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate of Columbia University and a Palestinian activist will be moved from New York to New Jersey, where his attorneys will keep working on legal actions for his liberation.
On Wednesday, Federal District Court Judge Jesse Furman ruled in favor of the Trump administration, stating that New York did not have jurisdiction over the case since Khalil was being held in custody in New Jersey when his lawyers submitted a motion contesting his arrest.
Khalil was arrested by immigration officers About two weeks ago, near his apartment on the Columbia University campus. Khalil, a legal permanent U.S. resident who is married to a U.S. citizen, is a notable Palestinian activist and has held a key position in various movements. demonstrations against the conflict between Israel and Hamas On the Ivy League campus previously year.
The Trump administration has labeled Khalil as a suspected terrorist supporter and an advocate for Hamas without presenting any proof. According to White House officials, Khalil circulated pamphlets endorsing Hamas, but his legal representatives refute this allegation.
Although Furman’s ruling doesn’t affect where or whether Khalil remains incarcerated, he pointed out that Khalil’s attorneys allege the Trump administration is singling him out due to his involvement in protests supporting Palestinians, thereby infringing upon his rights under the First and Fifth Amendments.
These are significant accusations and contentions that undoubtedly require thorough examination by a judicial authority," Furman stated. "The basic constitutional tenet ensuring every individual in the U.S. receives their rightful legal proceedings mandates nothing short of this.
Currently, Khalil remains detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement center in Jena, Louisiana. He was moved there following his arrest in New York and a brief detention period in New Jersey.
The spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, who had presented the arguments on behalf of the Trump administration, has not yet responded to requests for comments.
Judge rejects Trump administration’s attempt to shift case to Louisiana
In a victory for Khalil’s legal team, Furman ruled against moving the case to Louisiana. Additionally, Furman rejected the government’s request to completely dismiss Khalil’s habeas petition, contending that doing so could cause postponements and permit his possible swift expulsion prior to a judicial review of all his arguments. Furthermore, Furman upheld an earlier decision preventing Khalil’s deportation until his case has been adjudicated in court.
"It will be left for that court to evaluate Khalil’s allegations along with the petitions he has submitted so far related to these claims, specifically a request to move him from his current location of incarceration to a detention center within this district," Furman stated.
“The government first moved Mahmoud to Louisiana, then it tried to move his federal case there, too, hoping for better odds in court,” Ramzi Kassem, one of Khalil’s attorneys, said in a statement. “The judge rightly rejected that approach and transferred the case to a court in the greater New York City area, close to Mahmoud’s home, where the case and, most importantly, Mahmoud himself, belong.”
The judge ordered the transfer of the case to take place immediately and waived a rule that normally allows seven days for a transfer.
“This is a first step, but we need to continue to demand justice for Mahmoud. His unlawful and unjust detention cannot stand. We will not stop fighting until he is home with me,” Noor Abdalla, Khalil’s pregnant wife, said in a statement provided by New York Civil Liberties Union, which is representing Khalil.
His detention was ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Trump administration has been relying on a obscure section of US law which gives the Secretary wide authority to revoke a person’s immigration status if their “activities in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences” to the country.
His detention has touched off protests across the country following a Trump administration order to crack down on student activism on college campuses in opposition to the Israel-Hamas war.
Khalil’s attorneys have filed multiple motions since his arrest – including a preliminary injunction seeking his release and to prohibit the Trump administration from executing its policy of arresting, detaining, and removing noncitizens who engage in constitutionally-protected speech in support of Palestinian rights or who are critical of Israel.
The preliminary injunction, as well as a request to have Khalil physically transferred back to New York from Louisiana, will be heard by a federal judge in New Jersey.
Khalil speaks from inside detention
As the case is transferred across the Hudson River to New Jersey, Khalil spoke from inside the ICE detention facility where he is being held more than a thousand miles away from where he was arrested, describing himself as “political prisoner” in a letter dictated to his attorneys over the phone and reviewed by .
“My arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza,” Khalil wrote.
Khalil accused Columbia University of targeting him for his activism and enabling his detention by disclosing student records to Congress. In the letter, Khalil also accused the Trump administration of targeting international students, saying his case is evidence that Americans’ right to free political speech is at risk.
“The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers, and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs,” Khalil wrote.
A representative from Columbia University has not yet responded to requests for comments.
Columbia University has not commented on Khalil’s arrest but has acknowledged the presence of immigration authorities on campus during the past few days. Additionally, at least two more students have faced immigration actions, one of whom is an Indian national holding a valid student visa. Who returned to Canada? due to her fear of being held back.
In his letter, Khalil contended that the Trump administration is utilizing his imprisonment as a means to intimidate activist groups and individuals who oppose the administration's stances. He urged his followers to continue engaging in demonstrations.
The stakes here go beyond just my voice; they encompass the basic civil rights of everyone," he penned. "Understanding that this juncture surpasses my personal situation, I still wish to freely witness the arrival of my newborn.
Lauren del Valle from 's contributed to this report.
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