Trump Administration Defies Court Order, Refuses to Release Detained Pro-Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil. A Columbia University graduate and legal U.S. resident, Khalil was arrested and detained after protesting Israel's Gaza campaign. Despite a federal judge's ruling, the administration claims additional grounds for detention, citing alleged inadmissibility. Khalil, who faces deportation despite never being charged with a crime, alleges free speech violations
Trump Administration Defies Judge's Order, Refuses to Release Detained Columbia Graduate Mahmoud Khalil. A federal judge ordered the release of Khalil, a legal US resident, from a Louisiana detention center. However, the Trump administration claims the ruling is invalid, citing additional reasons for detaining him, despite no criminal charges. This follows the administration's controversial attempt to deport Khalil based on his pro-Palestinian activism, raising concerns about free speech violations
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration's deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder and Columbia University graduate, citing national security and foreign policy concerns. Rubio invoked a rarely used statute to justify the expulsion, despite a federal judge ordering Khalil's release. The administration countered, claiming additional grounds for detention exist, alleging inadmissibility at entry. Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, was never charged with a crime but detained following his participation in student demonstrations labeled antisemitic by the administration. This case raises concerns about free speech and the government's power to deport legal residents
The Trump administration appeals a federal judge's order to release Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident, citing his alleged inadmissibility to the country upon entry as an additional ground for detention. This follows a ruling that mandated Khalil's release from a Louisiana detention center after his arrest for protesting Israel's actions in Gaza. The administration argues the judge's decision overlooked key factors in Khalil's case
Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident, faces deportation despite never being charged with a crime. Detained by immigration agents in March 2018 while in his university building, Khalil's deportation stems from his involvement as a student spokesperson in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The Trump administration labeled these protests antisemitic, falsely accusing Khalil of being a radical terrorist, a claim refuted by his lawyers who cite free speech violations. This case highlights concerns about the suppression of political activism and the misuse of immigration powers
Mahmoud Khalil, a legal US resident and Columbia University graduate, was detained by the Trump administration for protesting Israel's actions in Gaza. His lawyers argue this violated his free speech rights, citing the administration's attempt to silence him. Khalil's statement to the court detailed the devastating impact of his detention, including family separation and the loss of a policy advisor position at Oxfam International due to his imprisonment. The administration's claim of national security concerns and his alleged inadmissibility are challenged, given his lack of criminal charges
Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and legal US resident, lost a job opportunity due to the Trump administration's actions. His detention following the controversial "Rubio Determination," and the resulting public stigma, severely damaged his professional reputation. The former job, requiring international travel and diplomatic engagement, became unattainable given the administration's labeling of him as a risk to US foreign policy. Visa denial and intense scrutiny made fulfilling the role's essential duties virtually impossible. This highlights the significant impact of the administration's actions on Khalil's career and life
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-Syrian American and Columbia University graduate, was detained by the Trump administration in 2022 after protesting Israel's actions in Gaza. Previously earning a Computer Science degree from the Lebanese American University, Khalil pursued a Master's degree at Columbia before his detention. Despite holding a green card, the administration sought his deportation, citing national security concerns and his pro-Palestinian activism. This case highlights concerns about free speech and due process for legal U.S. residents
Trump administration lawyers argued Friday that a federal judge's order to release Mahmoud Khalil, a legal US resident detained for protesting Israel's actions in Gaza, doesn't preclude further detention. While acknowledging the judge's finding that detention on the initial grounds was unlikely, the administration insists the ruling didn't prohibit detaining Khalil based on other potential grounds of removability, such as alleged inadmissibility
Despite a court order, the Trump administration argues that Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and Columbia University graduate, can remain detained pending immigration removal proceedings. While Khalil can appeal for release through administrative processes—first with DHS, then before an immigration judge—the government cites his alleged inadmissibility as an "alien" upon entry as grounds for continued detention, regardless of the lack of criminal charges
To secure Mahmoud Khalil's release, the government must demonstrate he poses no threat to public safety or property
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An attorney for Khalil did not immediately return a HuffPost request for comment.
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