• A federal judge in New Jersey denied the government’s request to move pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil’s case to Louisiana, keeping it in New Jersey where his legal team filed a habeas corpus motion challenging his ICE detention.
• Khalil, a Columbia graduate student and legal U.S. resident, was arrested during pro-Palestinian protests and remains detained, sparking national attention on the treatment of activists in the immigration system.
• The defense celebrates this key legal victory, emphasizing concerns over free speech, while critics highlight the broader implications for activist rights and government overreach.

In a significant legal decision, a federal judge in New Jersey has denied the government’s request to move the case against pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil to Louisiana, where he remains detained in federal custody. The ruling keeps the high-profile matter in New Jersey, a jurisdiction critical to the defense’s efforts to challenge Khalil’s detention, which has sparked national attention.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz emphasized in a 67-page opinion issued Tuesday that the New Jersey court has jurisdiction. This determination stems from Khalil’s presence in the state at the moment his legal team filed a habeas corpus motion on March 9. The motion challenges the legality of his detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Farbiarz wrote, “The Petitioner was in custody in New Jersey as of March 9 at 4:40am, and under federal statute, the petition… must be treated as having been filed in New Jersey.” Therefore, the court retained jurisdiction despite the government’s arguments to the contrary.

Background of Khalil’s Arrest and Detention

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Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and prominent negotiator for pro-Palestinian student protests during last spring’s Israel-Hamas war demonstrations, was arrested on March 8 outside his campus apartment. Initially detained in Manhattan, Khalil was transferred to an ICE facility in New Jersey before being sent to a detention center in Louisiana. Khalil is a legal permanent U.S. resident, married to Noor Abdalla, a U.S. citizen who is expecting their first child this month.

The government had previously succeeded in transferring Khalil’s case from New York to New Jersey shortly after his arrest. However, their subsequent motion to move the case to Louisiana was rejected. This latest decision represents a critical win for the defense and raises broader concerns about the treatment of activists in the U.S. immigration system.

Defense Celebrates Key Legal Victory

Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, expressed relief over the ruling but stressed that the fight is far from over. “This is an important step towards securing Mahmoud’s freedom, but there is still a lot more to be done,” she said in a statement. With her due date rapidly approaching, Abdalla added, “As the countdown to our son’s birth begins, I will continue to strongly advocate for Mahmoud’s freedom so he can be home to welcome our child.”

Khalil’s attorney, Baher Azmy, also praised the court’s decision, condemning the government’s efforts to manipulate jurisdiction. “We are grateful the court wisely understood that the government cannot try to shield their unconstitutional — and frankly chilling — behavior,” Azmy said.

Implications for Free Speech and Advocacy

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This case comes at a time when legal and political circles are increasingly scrutinizing the treatment of activists and immigrants. Khalil’s arrest and ongoing detention raise questions about how ICE and the Justice Department handle cases involving politically active individuals. Critics argue that such actions could have a chilling effect on free speech and public protest.

Request for Comment

The Department of Justice and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Dupree Report has reached out to both agencies and will update this article as more information becomes available.

To stay updated on this developing story, share this article from The Dupree Report and join the conversation about civil liberties and immigration reform.

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