Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration Move to Deport Mahmoud Khalil

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz issued a preliminary injunction, noting that the detention of Khalil—a green card holder—has caused him irreparable harm by damaging his reputation and chilling his right to protest. Khalil has been held in a Louisiana facility since his March arrest in New York City, a move that kept him from the birth of his son. While the administration attempted to cite Section 1227 of the U.S. Code to justify the detention, Farbiarz labeled the government’s arguments regarding foreign policy threats as likely unconstitutional.

The Path to Release

Although the ruling marks a victory for the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights, Khalil’s immediate release remains uncertain. The government has until Friday morning to appeal the decision. Furthermore, officials have alleged that Khalil falsified his green card application by omitting past employment history. However, Judge Farbiarz expressed skepticism regarding these claims, noting that such omissions rarely lead to detention for permanent residents, suggesting the administration's true motivation remains the secretary of state’s focus on his activism. Khalil’s legal team continues to push for his return to his wife, Noor Abdalla, and their newborn, Deen.