• U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered the release of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, criticizing the Trump administration for using immigration law to suppress political dissent. Khalil’s detention sparked widespread backlash, with supporters calling it a violation of free speech and a punitive response to his activism.

NEW YORK — In a dramatic courtroom showdown, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz slammed the Trump administration’s efforts to keep Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil behind bars as “highly, highly unusual,” ordering the activist’s release late Friday. Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and longtime pro-Palestinian organizer, had been held for over three months in a Louisiana detention center, separated from his wife and newborn baby.

The government’s case to detain Khalil sparked outrage, as officials invoked an obscure immigration law to claim that his presence in the U.S. posed a threat to foreign policy. Khalil’s supporters and legal team argued the detention was nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to punish him for his activism.

“This is a blatant abuse of power,” Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, said in an emotional statement after the ruling. “Mahmoud was taken from us simply for speaking out against Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinians. Today, we can finally breathe.”

Judge slams Trump administration’s ‘chilling’ tactics

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During the fiery court hearing, Farbiarz, a Biden appointee, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the government’s actions. He accused officials of using immigration law to stifle Khalil’s constitutionally protected free speech.

“There is at least something to the underlying claim that there is an effort to use immigration proceedings here to punish the petitioner,” Farbiarz declared. “And of course, that would be unconstitutional.”

The judge also pointed to the “chilling effect” of detaining Khalil, suggesting it was part of a broader effort to silence pro-Palestinian voices critical of Trump’s hardline stance on Israel.

Khalil was arrested in a dramatic raid at his Columbia University residence on March 9 and later transferred to a detention facility in Jena, Louisiana. His lawyers argue the remote location was chosen deliberately to isolate him from his family and legal resources.

Pro-Palestinian academics targeted under rare law

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Khalil is just the latest in a string of foreign academics detained after Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked a little-known immigration law. The provision allows the government to deport non-citizens, including green card holders, if their presence is deemed harmful to U.S. foreign policy interests.

In recent months, judges have ordered the release of Georgetown researcher Badar Khan Suri, Tufts Ph.D. student Rümeysa Öztürk, and Columbia activist Mohsen Mahdawi—all detained under similar circumstances. Another judge even blocked authorities from arresting Columbia student Yunseo Chung, who had also been named in Rubio’s determination.

Legal experts have called these efforts unprecedented. “What we’re seeing is an attempt to weaponize immigration law to suppress political speech,” said civil rights attorney Karen Montoya. “It’s a clear violation of the First Amendment.”

Government faces backlash over bold legal maneuver

Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the administration’s actions, calling Farbiarz’s ruling “yet another example of how out-of-control judges are undermining national security.” She vowed to appeal, warning that “higher courts will uphold our authority to detain individuals like Khalil.”

The administration’s aggressive tactics have drawn sharp criticism. Social media erupted with hashtags like #FreeMahmoud trending, as activists and public figures rallied against what they called a “political witch hunt.” Columbia University students organized candlelight vigils, while pro-Palestinian groups accused the Trump administration of targeting dissenters to silence criticism of its controversial foreign policy.

“This is about more than Mahmoud,” said activist Aliya Shakir. “It’s about the message they want to send: If you speak out, you’ll pay the price.”

Khalil’s emotional reunion and long road ahead

Khalil’s release comes as a bittersweet victory for his family, who were blindsided by his sudden arrest. During his detention, Noor gave birth to their son, Deen, who Khalil met for the first time this weekend.

“It’s been devastating,” she said. “But today, we’re celebrating Mahmoud coming home.”

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