A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration cannot continue holding Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestinian activist, solely based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assertion that Khalil’s presence threatens U.S. foreign policy.
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz, a Biden appointee, ordered Khalil’s release unless federal authorities can present a separate legal basis for his detention. However, the order is paused until Monday to allow time for appeal.
Khalil, a Syrian-born U.S. green card holder, was detained in March after Rubio revoked his immigration status, citing Khalil’s role in demonstrations where Hamas-linked materials were shared. The case has become central to the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian student activism.
The government also alleges Khalil committed immigration fraud by concealing past affiliations, including work with a U.N. agency the U.S. later cut ties with over alleged Hamas links.
Though Farbiarz rejected the foreign policy justification for detention alone, he left the door open for Khalil’s deportation on other legal grounds. Khalil remains in ICE custody pending a potential appeal.
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