NOT SO FAST: Judge declines to release Mahmoud Khalil after DOJ shifts strategy

June 13, 2025

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A federal judge has agreed that the Trump administration can keep Mahmoud Khalil jailed for allegedly lying on his green card application.

From The Hill: A federal judge on Friday determined that Mahmoud Khalil, the pro-Palestinian activist from Columbia University, will remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention after the federal government pivoted its legal strategy.

The Trump administration argued Friday it could detain Khalil, a green-card holder, under the justification he kept some of his prior work off his application for permanent residency.

The change comes after District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled Wednesday the federal government could not detain Khalil due to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s determination he is a threat to U.S. foreign policy.

“Khalil is now detained based on that other charge of removability,” the government argued Friday. “Detaining Khalil based on that other ground of removal is lawful.”

The decision isn’t a shock after Farbiarz said in his Wednesday ruling the Trump administration could appeal or keep detaining Khalil based on other justifications.

UPDATE: Mahmoud Khalil will not be released from ICE custody.

Today, an NJ District judge ruled that the anti-Israel agitator failed to “put forward factual evidence as to why it might be unlawful to detain him” on the charge of omitting key information on his green card… pic.twitter.com/EhXP6lbVXZ

— Jessica Schwalb (@jessicaschwalb7) June 13, 2025

🚨 BREAKING – VICTORY: Judge DENIES to order the Trump administration release pro-Palestine demonstrator Mahmoud Khalil, who was swooped up after protesting at Columbia University.

TIME TO GET DEPORTED! pic.twitter.com/DiyVUhm8YM

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 13, 2025