A federal court is set to weigh in on the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student whose arrest has ignited a political firestorm. A judge temporarily halted his deportation, setting the stage for a legal showdown that could test the limits of free speech in the U.S. immigration system.
Khalil, 29, a Palestinian activist, was taken into custody by federal agents outside Columbia student housing. The Trump administration has accused him of supporting Hamas, though no criminal charges or evidence have been presented against him. His lawyers maintain that his advocacy falls under First Amendment protections.
The case has drawn national and international attention, with protesters flooding the streets of Manhattan and Democratic lawmakers condemning the arrest. Columbia officials confirmed Khalil played a key role in student negotiations over demands to divest university funds from companies linked to Israel.
Meanwhile, the White House has defended the move, with officials arguing that foreign students should not be allowed to “side with terrorists.” Khalil, a legal U.S. resident with a green card, now faces a battle that could determine his future in the country. His case may take years to resolve, with legal experts noting that any deportation order would require significant evidentiary proof.
As demonstrations continue across New York, Khalil’s detention has become a symbol of the broader debate over protest, immigration, and U.S. foreign policy.
