A federal judge in New Jersey has decided that Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student detained on March 8, will have his legal case heard in New Jersey, despite government efforts to have the case moved to Louisiana or dismissed. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz in Newark, in a written decision obtained by ABC7NY, stated that the government's argument to change jurisdiction was "unpersuasive." This ruling means that Khalil's legal representation can now continue to try and secure his release within a New Jersey court.
Khalil's detention is part of President Donald Trump's broader crackdown on what he labels antisemitic and "anti-American" protests on college campuses. His case has garnered attention as it could potentially set a precedence on the administration's actions regarding noncitizen student activists. According to a Gothamist report, Khalil is one of several international students who supported Palestinians to be detained in recent weeks with no charges filed against them.
Dr. Noor Abdalla, Khalil's wife, expressed relief at this judicial development. She told ABC7NY that "This is an important step towards securing Mahmoud's freedom, but there is still a lot more to be done." Dr. Abdalla is currently pregnant and emphasized the importance of Khalil's presence for the birth of their first child, adding urgency to the case.
The lawsuit filed by Khalil's lawyers challenges the basis of his detention, which they argue is a form of unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech. Specifically, they claim that the Trump administration used a vague clause from the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act to justify Khalil's detention. NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman stated in a report by Gothamist that the court's decision reaffirms that “With this ruling, the Court has rightfully reaffirmed that Mahmoud Khalil’s case belongs in New Jersey — significantly closer to his wife, community, and legal counsel.”
