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Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent figure in the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University last year, is set to remain in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a recent court hearing in Manhattan.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman determined that Khalil, who is 30 years old, will not be deported while his legal team challenges ICE’s actions in court.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Judge Furman emphasized that his ruling was not a judgment on the substance of the case, which has yet to be reviewed in detail. The session coincided with a demonstration outside the courthouse, where activists advocating for Khalil’s release gathered, waving Palestinian flags and holding placards.
Khalil was apprehended by ICE agents at his university-subsidized residence in New York City’s Upper West Side and is currently being held in Louisiana. His attorneys reported that ICE has moved to revoke both his green card and student visa.
ICE AGENTS ARREST ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVIST WHO LED PROTESTS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
In court, the government’s lawyers proposed moving the proceedings from New York to Louisiana or New Jersey, as these are the jurisdictions where Khalil has been detained since his arrest. Brandon Waterman, representing the Justice Department, stated that Khalil was not located in the New York or New Jersey area when the initial legal motions were submitted, making those venues inappropriate.
Khalil’s attorney, Ramsi Kassem, argued for a transfer to New Jersey, contending that Khalil was located there when the motion was filed. Meanwhile, Kassem raised concerns about the limited access to his client, which he claimed hampers their ability to prepare the case effectively. The judge indicated he would facilitate a single privileged phone call today and another tomorrow to enhance attorney-client communication.
Judge Furman described the legal matters at hand as “important and weighty,” requesting both parties to provide a joint letter by Friday outlining their proposed timeline for submitting written arguments concerning the legal questions associated with Khalil’s detention.
Kassem underscored that Khalil’s arrest appeared to be tied to his advocacy for Palestinian rights and freedom of speech, mentioning that Khalil has no prior criminal record and questioning the motivations behind his detention.
WATCH: Columbia anti-Israel protest leader Mahmoud Khalil faces court hearing on detention
Khalil’s legal team aims to file an amended petition, seeking an expedited process to address the merits of their case, with a deadline set for Thursday evening.
A Palestinian originally from Syria, Khalil is a permanent U.S. resident and is married to an American citizen, who is expecting their child in a few months.
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The Department of Homeland Security has stated that the arrest was part of measures to safeguard U.S. national security, alleging that Khalil organized activities associated with Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization.
Khalil played a significant role in campus protests against Israel last year and reportedly engaged with university officials on behalf of Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition advocating for divestment from Israeli entities, according to mentioned sources.
The Press Secretary of the White House defended the government’s decision to arrest Khalil, asserting that he disseminated pro-Hamas materials at the university.
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