Judge Blocks Deportation of Ex-Columbia Student Khalil

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot detain or deport Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student and legal U.S. resident, solely on the basis that his presence is adverse to U.S. foreign policy interests. Judge Michael Farbiarz found that Khalil’s detention violated his First Amendment rights, causing harm to his free speech, career, and reputation. Khalil, arrested in March as part of a crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests, remains in custody pending a possible government appeal by Friday. The government has cited alleged support for Hamas and harassment of Jewish students as grounds for detention, despite presenting no public evidence of criminal activity. The administration also claims legal authority to revoke Khalil's green card, a point contested by critics who view the case as politically motivated. The ruling is seen as a major setback for the administration’s attempts to deport foreign student activists on foreign policy grounds.