Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student of Palestinian descent, was arrested by ICE agents outside his residence in Manhattan. He was detained for his participation in pro-Palestinian protests, but his challenge to the legality of his arrest was denied in New York. The case was moved to New Jersey, where Khalil was held at the time of the challenge. His lawyer argued that Khalil was targeted for advocating for Palestinian rights, violating his free speech rights. Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, who is eight months pregnant, has not been able to visit him in detention in Louisiana.
Khalil’s lawyers argued that he has no ties to Hamas and was a mediator during the protests, not a supporter of the militant group. The administration claims he participated in “pro-Hamas events,” which led to his deportation order under a provision of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act. The case has become a flashpoint for debate over freedom of speech and the targeting of non-U.S. citizens for removal based on political activism.
The judge’s ruling allows Khalil’s challenge to be heard in New Jersey and raised questions about the government’s ability to remove lawful permanent residents based on protected speech. Khalil’s wife called the case being moved to New Jersey a first step and vowed to continue fighting for his release. The case highlights the tension between national security concerns and free speech rights in the U.S. legal system.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
