A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s efforts to deport a pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, Mahmoud Khalil. The judge’s order comes amid protests that erupted in Manhattan following the arrest of Khalil, with demonstrators demanding his immediate release.
Mahmoud Khalil, a vocal pro-Palestinian activist who played a significant role in leading Columbia University’s 2024 student encampment protests, has been detained in Louisiana as the U.S. government attempts to deport him. Judge Jesse Furman has now put a temporary stop to the Trump administration’s efforts to remove Khalil from the country, ordering both the administration and Khalil’s attorneys to attend a conference on Wednesday morning at a court in Lower Manhattan. The judge also instructed that Khalil was not to be removed from the country until further court orders.
Supporters and advocates for Khalil have welcomed the judge’s decision. Jamie Beran, CEO of Bend The Arc Jewish Action, expressed that this was good news, but emphasized the need to continue fighting to ensure Khalil’s release and protect free speech. Madeleine Elfenbein, another supporter, noted the vulnerability of all individuals when any one person can be detained without due process, regardless of their views.
Khalil’s arrest took place on Saturday night at his university-owned apartment by federal immigration authorities. According to his lawyer, Amy Greer, they were acting on an order from the State Department to revoke Khalil’s student visa and green card. Khalil is currently being held in Jena, Louisiana, awaiting immigration court proceedings that could potentially lead to his deportation, as per ICE records. His pregnant wife described him as a humble and selfless individual who is always ready to stand up for the oppressed.
President Trump stated on Monday that Khalil’s arrest was just the beginning of many more to come. The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying that the arrest was in line with Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism and alleged that Khalil was involved in activities aligned with Hamas. However, it did not provide any details of charges or crimes.
The news of the judge’s decision coincided with protests erupting in the streets of Manhattan, where protestors gathered at Foley Square to demand Khalil’s release. The group then began marching through Lower Manhattan. A video from Chopper 2 showed at least one protestor being taken into custody.
Theo Oshiro, of the group Make The Road States, said Khalil’s detention was a direct violation of the country’s immigration laws. He also expressed concern over Khalil’s First Amendment rights being infringed and the broader implications this had for free speech and peaceful activism in the U.S. Advocates and faculty from Columbia and Barnard College also called for unity and action.
Students at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) are also calling for Khalil’s release, with many expressing their deep worry about him.
Katrina Armstrong, the interim president of Columbia University, addressed the Columbia community on Monday, stating that the arrest and the preceding suspension of $400 million in federal funds marked a challenging moment for the community. Armstrong stressed the importance of freedom of expression, open inquiry, and respectful debate and vowed to fight for these values.
While advocating for a methodical and thoughtful approach to address the multitude of challenges faced, Armstrong also stated that the university would always follow the law. It was the university’s longstanding practice that law enforcement must have a judicial warrant to enter non-public university areas, including residential University buildings.
