Federal Judge Approves Continued Detention of Mahmoud Khalil, American Palestinian Activist

Mahmoud Khalil, an American-Palestinian student who became a prominent symbol of the pro-Palestinian movement on US campuses, will not be released from detention despite a previous court order.

“Mahmoud Khalil, an American-Palestinian student who became a symbol of the pro-Palestinian movement on American campuses, will not be released”

Ouest-France

The Trump administration continues to hold him in a detention center near New York, where he has been confined since March 2025.

Federal Judge Michael Fabiarz initially ruled on Wednesday that the government could not detain or expel Khalil based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's claims that his presence posed a security threat.

However, on Friday, June 13, 2025, the same judge reversed that decision and approved his continued detention on separate charges related to his green card application.

The legal battle surrounding Khalil's detention involves contradictory court rulings and shifting government positions.

On Wednesday, Judge Fabiarz of the New Jersey federal court ordered the government to release Khalil by Friday, citing that Secretary of State Marco Rubio's security threat assessment was insufficient grounds for detention.

“Mahmoud Khalil, an American-Palestinian student who became a symbol of the pro-Palestinian movement on American campuses, will not be released”

Ouest-France

American authorities defied this order, stating in court documents they had no intention of releasing him.

The judge ultimately allowed continued detention based on a second charge related to Khalil's permanent resident status application, specifically regarding his work history and involvement in the Israel boycott campaign.

Khalil's case has drawn attention to the intersection of political activism, immigration enforcement, and national security claims in the United States.

“Mahmoud Khalil, an American-Palestinian student who became a symbol of the pro-Palestinian movement on American campuses, will not be released”

Ouest-France

As a prominent figure in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, his detention has become a focal point for civil liberties advocates concerned about the use of immigration laws to suppress political dissent.

The Trump administration's approach represents a significant escalation in targeting Palestinian activists, using immigration violations as a basis for detention and potential expulsion rather than addressing their political activities through legal channels.

The case highlights broader concerns about the treatment of Palestinian-American activists under current US immigration policies.

Khalil's detention comes amid heightened tensions surrounding support for Palestinian rights in the United States, particularly in the context of the ongoing Gaza genocide.

“Mahmoud Khalil, an American-Palestinian student who became a symbol of the pro-Palestinian movement on American campuses, will not be released”

Ouest-France

Activists argue that the Trump administration is using immigration enforcement as a tool to silence criticism of Israeli policies, effectively criminalizing political speech and association.

The case demonstrates how national security claims can be invoked to justify detention even when specific legal grounds remain unclear or contradictory.