Judge Temporarily Halts Deportation of Palestinian Activist Linked to Columbia Protests

A federal judge in New York has issued a temporary order preventing the Trump administration from deporting Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, until a scheduled court conference on Wednesday, according to court documents.

Khalil, a leading figure in the student protest movement demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, was arrested Saturday night by federal immigration authorities. His attorney claims the arrest followed a State Department directive to revoke his green card.

“To preserve the Court’s jurisdiction pending a ruling on the petition, Petitioner shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the Court orders otherwise,” the Monday court filing stated.

His arrest marks an escalation in the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses. The president recently vowed to deport foreign students and imprison individuals involved in what he described as “illegal protests.”

Hundreds of supporters marched through lower Manhattan on Monday evening, calling for Khalil’s release.

Khalil, who completed his master’s degree in December, was among students investigated by Columbia’s university committee for their activism. His attorney, Amy Greer, condemned the arrest, stating, “ICE’s detention of Mahmoud is part of the government’s broader attempt to suppress political speech and student activism.”

Currently held in a detention facility in Jena, Louisiana, Khalil’s legal team is seeking to reverse his transfer, arguing it hinders his access to counsel and due process.

Before his arrest, Khalil emailed Columbia University’s interim president, requesting legal assistance after experiencing a “dehumanizing doxing campaign.” In the email, he stated that individuals had falsely labeled him a “terrorist threat” and called for his deportation.

Legal experts argue that only an immigration judge has the authority to revoke a green card, raising questions about the administration’s actions. The State Department declined to comment on Khalil’s case, citing confidentiality laws.

His detention has sparked outrage among civil rights organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) described the arrest as “unprecedented, illegal, and un-American,” while the New York Immigration Coalition called it an “affront” to free speech rights.

Columbia University, at the center of ongoing campus protests regarding Israel’s war in Gaza, confirmed reports of immigration enforcement near its campus but stated it would continue to comply with legal requirements.

The Trump administration has invoked an immigration law provision allowing deportation of individuals whose presence is deemed to have “serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” However, legal experts note that this provision is rarely used and could face legal challenges.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has expressed concern about Khalil’s arrest, stating that her office is closely monitoring the case. Meanwhile, activists warn that his detention could set a dangerous precedent for the suppression of political dissent in the U.S.