Judge Blocks Deportation of Columbia Pro-Palestine Activist Mahmoud Khalil Pending Court Review

New York (Quds News Network)- A federal judge has blocked the deportation of pro-Palestine and anti-genocide activist Mahmoud Khalil. The decision delays his removal while legal arguments continue. U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman issued the ruling and scheduled a hearing for March 12.

Khalil was arrested in New York on Saturday. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took him from his university-owned apartment in Manhattan, where he lives with his pregnant wife. He was then moved to an ICE facility in Louisiana.

The Trump administration has praised the arrest and promised of more arrests to silence anti-genocide activists. Trump said Khalil was a “Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student” and the first of many to be detained. Trump also revoked $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University, citing its failure to address ‘antisemitism’.

Khalil, an Algerian-Palestinian alumni, earned his master’s degree from Columbia University last year. He played a key role in pro-Palestine and anti-genocide demonstrations on campus. He acted as a negotiator with university officials during protests against Israel’s Gaza genocide.

His detention has sparked backlash. Activist groups, including Action Network, have gathered over 900,000 petition signatures demanding his release. A large planned protest in Manhattan called for Khalil’s freedom, with slogans like “Hands off our students! ICE off our campuses!” spreading on social media.

Legal experts question the grounds for his deportation. Khalil has not been charged with a crime. No evidence has surfaced linking Khalil to illegal activity. The American Civil Liberties Union condemned his arrest, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of free speech.

New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed concern, saying her office was monitoring the case. Khalil’s lawyer, Amy Greer, vowed to challenge his detention, calling it “a calculated and unjust act.” The Department of Homeland Security claims Khalil led activities linked to Hamas but has not provided proof.

Emails leaked by Zeteo show Khalil sought protection from Columbia University before his arrest. He warned school officials about a doxxing campaign against him. He reported threats and feared for his safety. His messages also raised concerns about discrimination, after his university ID was suddenly deactivated.

For more than 24 hours, Khalil’s location remained unknown. ICE later confirmed his transfer to a Louisiana facility. Human rights groups have criticized the conditions in these centers. The Trump administration has not clarified whether Khalil’s green card status legally allows his deportation.