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From CBS News: A federal judge in New Jersey on Friday ordered that Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil must be released from detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as his immigration proceedings play out.
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz heard arguments from Khalil’s attorneys, who asked him to free Khalil from detention or transfer him to New Jersey. Farbiarz sided with Khalil’s team and determined that he is not a threat to the community, not a flight risk and that his detention has been “highly unusual.”
Khalil is a green card holder who was detained by immigration agents in March and is currently being held in Louisiana.
Since Farbiarz ruled last week that Khalil cannot be detained simply based on a declaration from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Department of Homeland Security has kept Khalil detained based on allegations that he omitted details from his green card application.
Khalil was a key organizer and played a key role in leading the violent anti-Israel protests at the school’s campus last year.
Mahmoud Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, is a U.S. citizen. They reportedly met in 2016 while both were volunteering in Lebanon, and married in 2023. She gave birth to their first baby while he was in detention.
ABOUT THIS JUDGE: Michael Farbiarz, 51 or 52, is a U.S. district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Farbiarz was recommended by Democrat Sen. Cory Booker (NJ) and nominated by Joe Biden in December 2022. He was confirmed by the Senate in May 2023 by a 65-34 vote.
In the video below, Sen. Booker touts Farbiarz’s qualifications during his confirmation hearing.
Michael Farbiarz’s career has been defined by his devotion to public service. He’s committed to the rule of law & will serve our state—and the nation—with honor. Looking forward to seeing him as the next district court judge for the District of NJ! pic.twitter.com/VucyFFXjzZ
— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) January 25, 2023
A Biden -appointed federal judge Michael E. Farbiarz has just ordered the release of pro Hamas agitator, Mahmoud Khalil, who had been held in ICE detention, pending deportation due to being considered a national security threat
But, apparently the left has no problem with… pic.twitter.com/6PPp27HLD4
— The Conservative Read (@theconread) June 20, 2025
Another Trump hating, America hating judge has ordered the Trump admin to release pro-HAMAS activist Mahmoud Khalil from ICE detention.
Disgraceful.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) June 20, 2025
JUST IN: A federal judge has ordered the release of Columbia University pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil.
Khalil, a green card holder who is married to an American citizen, was arrested by ICE agents in New York City in March. https://t.co/UHWscf44AY pic.twitter.com/pDrR66Jivu
— ABC News (@ABC) June 20, 2025
Breaking News: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release the pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil on bail. He has not been charged with a crime. https://t.co/dOrFXR4rss
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 20, 2025
BREAKING: A federal judge in New Jersey on Friday ordered that Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil must be released from detention. https://t.co/S2Hu5MoJNb
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 20, 2025
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