A federal judge has authorized the continued detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder and former pro-Palestinian organizer at Columbia University, following a shift in legal approach under the Trump administration. The decision marks a significant move in the administration’s broader effort to address foreign nationals linked to campus unrest.
Khalil, whose release had been previously ordered by a court, remained in custody on Friday morning as originally planned. The Trump administration submitted a new argument, asserting that Khalil may have omitted details about his past employment when applying for permanent residency. This argument was accepted by District Judge Michael Farbiarz, effectively stopping his release.
This legal repositioning followed a previous court ruling, which rejected the Biden-era justification for Khalil’s detention—namely, a foreign policy threat determination issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The administration responded by emphasizing inconsistencies in Khalil’s immigration paperwork, a strategy that ultimately proved effective in court.
Khalil, originally arrested on March 8, has remained in federal custody for over three months, and his detention made him the first publicly known foreign activist apprehended under the Trump administration’s crackdown targeting non-citizens involved in anti-American demonstrations on university campuses.
The Algerian national rose to prominence as a leading figure in the Columbia University encampment that disrupted the Ivy League institution and drew national attention. Despite efforts by his legal team to expedite his release, the renewed legal rationale has kept him confined.
While other activists tied to similar demonstrations have reportedly been released pending legal review, Khalil’s continued detention has prompted frustration among left-leaning advocacy groups, who now accuse the administration of selective enforcement.
The Trump administration’s current legal posture suggests a clear intent to enforce immigration laws more stringently, especially for non-citizens participating in anti-American political activity on U.S. soil. As broader enforcement efforts are anticipated in the coming months, Khalil’s case may serve as a precedent in determining how federal authorities will handle similar instances.
Future developments in the case are expected to be shaped by court decisions, but the administration has already signaled its commitment to prioritizing national interest and legal accountability over activist narratives.
The post Trump Scores Huge Win in Critical Legal Case and Everything Just changed appeared first on Boveed.
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