A US judge extended his order blocking federal authorities from deporting a detained Columbia University student, in a case that has become a flashpoint of the Trump administration’s pledge to deport some pro-Palestinian college activists.
US District Judge Jesse Furman had temporarily blocked Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation earlier this week, and extended the prohibition on Wednesday in a written order following a hearing in Manhattan federal court to allow himself more time to consider whether the arrest was unconstitutional.
The Department of Homeland Security says Khalil, 30, is subject to deportation under a legal provision holding that migrants whose presence in the country are deemed by the US Secretary of State to be incompatible with foreign policy may be removed, according to a document seen by Reuters.
“The Secretary of State has determined that your presence or activities in the United States would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States,” read the DHS document, dated March 9, ordering Khalil to appear before an immigration judge on March 27.
Khalil’s lawyers say his arrest on Saturday by DHS agents outside his university residence in Manhattan was in retaliation for his outspoken advocacy against Israel’s military assault on Gaza following Hamas’ October 2023 attack, and thus violated Khalil’s right to free speech under the US Constitution’s First Amendment.
“Mr. Khalil was identified, targeted, detained and is being processed for deportation on account of his advocacy for Palestinian rights,” Khalil’s lawyer Ramzi Kassem said in court.
Noora Abdalla, Khalil’s wife, said after the hearing she hoped her husband would be free and back in New York in time for the birth of their first child, who is due next month.
“It’s been so hard not having him here,” she said. “There’s a lot of emotions and pain. He’s been there for me truly every step of the way.”
