Egypt Daily News – A U.S. court has blocked the deportation of student Mahmoud Khalil to maintain jurisdiction over the case, stating that a request for his release has been submitted while a hearing is expected to take place in New York, according to American media reports on Tuesday.
Federal Judge Jesse Furman of the U.S. District Court issued a decision to halt Khalil’s deportation and scheduled a hearing for his case on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Khalil’s lawyers have requested an order to return him to New York, accusing the government of attempting to deprive him of legal counsel by transferring him far from the city.
Khalil was arrested last Saturday by Department of Homeland Security officers under executive orders from U.S. President Donald Trump, which prohibit antisemitism, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
His arrest has sparked widespread outrage among civil rights groups and free speech advocates, who have accused the Trump administration of using immigration enforcement powers to suppress criticism of Israel.
The U.S. president previously announced that the arrest and possible deportation of Mahmoud Khalil marked the beginning of a series of similar measures that could be implemented in the future. This is part of his administration’s campaign to suppress student protests against Israel and the war on Gaza. Additionally, in January, Trump signed an executive order on “combating antisemitism,” which allows for the deportation of students participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
President Donald Trump described Mahmoud Khalil as a “terrorist sympathizer.”
Before his arrest, Khalil told CNN that, as a refugee, he felt compelled to advocate for the liberation of both Palestinians and Jews.
Speaking last spring, when he was one of the negotiators representing student protesters in talks with Columbia University’s administration, he said: “As a Palestinian student, I believe that the liberation of the Palestinian people and the Jewish people are interconnected, and you cannot achieve one without the other.” He added, “Our movement is a movement for social justice, freedom, and equality for all.”
Khalil, who completed his master’s degree at Columbia University in December and was a legal resident in the United States, was arrested by federal agents. His lawyer stated that the Trump administration had revoked his green card.
Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, stated that his wife, a U.S. citizen who is eight months pregnant, was also present during his arrest.
Greer said she spoke with Khalil on Monday and that he is “in good health and his morale has not been affected by what is happening.”
In a statement, the attorney said, “He has been singled out as an example to suppress lawful dissent, in violation of the First Amendment.” She added, “The government’s intent is as clear as it is unlawful.”
However, some parties, including Trump and his administration, view Khalil’s pro-Palestinian activism as antisemitic and supportive of Hamas.
Khalil is being held in a detention facility in Louisiana.
