Federal Judge Rules Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil to Remain in U.S. Detention Pending Case

People demonstrate outside Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, on the day of a hearing on the detention of Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, in New York City, March 12, 2025.

A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil will remain in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Louisiana while his case is considered. Khalil, a former student at Columbia University, was arrested on Saturday at his university apartment with the intention of deporting him. The U.S. government claims that Khalil poses a national security threat due to his involvement in pro-Hamas activities and antisemitic protests on campus. Khalil, a permanent legal U.S. resident from Syria, graduated from Columbia in December.

Khalil's attorney, Amy Greer, filed a lawsuit to halt his deportation, arguing that his arrest was unlawful. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman temporarily blocked the deportation. The court held a hearing on Wednesday to address the legal issues surrounding the case, during which Judge Furman ruled that Khalil would remain in Louisiana, where the case is being litigated. The Trump administration is pushing for a conservative court in Louisiana to handle the proceedings, while Khalil's defense team has requested the case remain in New York.

Khalil's legal team has expressed concerns about their ability to communicate with their client. They reported that they have not been able to speak with him since his arrest and that the detention facility in Louisiana has delayed phone access until March 20. In response, Judge Furman ordered that Khalil be allowed two privileged phone calls with his attorneys on Wednesday and Thursday. Both parties were also instructed to file motions and submit a joint letter by Friday regarding the next steps in the case.

Mahmoud Khalil speaks to members of media about the Revolt for Rafah encampment at Columbia University in New York City, June 1, 2024

Khalil's lawyer contends that ICE agents acted on a mistaken belief that Khalil’s student visa had been revoked, even though he holds a green card as a legal permanent resident. Greer stated that upon learning of this mistake, ICE agents proceeded to detain Khalil despite his legal status.

Khalil’s wife, who is pregnant and expecting their child next month, expressed her distress over his arrest, saying it has left her in emotional turmoil rather than preparing for their baby. "U.S. immigration ripped my soul from me," she said, pleading for his release.

The Trump administration has defended Khalil’s detention and potential deportation, citing his alleged pro-Hamas actions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Khalil of distributing pro-Hamas propaganda and organizing protests that targeted Jewish students. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that supporting Hamas is not protected under free speech and that the U.S. has the authority to revoke visas and green cards for individuals involved in such activities.

Khalil’s arrest is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to combat antisemitism on U.S. college campuses, particularly in the wake of Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023. In line with this stance, the administration has withheld $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University, accusing the institution of failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic incidents linked to Hamas’s actions. Columbia's interim president, Katrina Armstrong, acknowledged the challenging situation, stating that the university must ensure its values of higher education remain intact.