U.S. judge frees activist Mahmoud Khalil

A US judge ordered the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestinian activist, from immigration custody, marking a significant victory for rights groups. Khalil was arrested on March 8 by immigration agents in Manhattan, becoming the first target of a controversial policy initiated by the Trump administration aimed at deporting foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, which President Trump labeled as antisemitic.

US District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) failed to provide evidence that Khalil posed a flight risk or danger to the public. Khalil, a legal permanent resident, argued that his detention violated his First Amendment rights, as he was being punished for his political speech. He has publicly condemned antisemitism and racism in various interviews.

The White House responded to the ruling, asserting that the judge lacked jurisdiction to order Khalil's release from a Louisiana detention facility and expressed confidence in prevailing on appeal. Earlier in June, Judge Farbiarz had determined that Khalil's detention infringed upon his free speech rights under a rarely used law allowing the Secretary of State to seek deportation of non-citizens deemed adverse to US foreign policy.

Despite a previous ruling that did not grant Khalil's release, the judge noted the unusual nature of detaining an immigrant for alleged omissions in a residency application. Khalil's lawyers have denied the government's claims regarding his application and argued that such detentions are uncommon. Khalil, 30, became a permanent resident last year, and his wife and newborn son are US citizens. The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies and free speech rights in the US.