A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration can no longer detain Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil on the basis of federal claims that he is a threat to US foreign policy.
In his order on Wednesday, Judge Michael E Farbiarz said that the ruling will go into effect at 9.30am on Friday, adding: “This is to allow the respondents to seek appellate review should they wish to.”
Khalil, who has not been charged with a crime, had been deemed a threat to US foreign policy by secretary of state, Marco Rubio, prompting federal authorities to detain him in March.
In his ruling, Farbiarz wrote: “The petitioner’s career and reputation are being damaged and his speech is being chilled – and this adds up to irreparable harm.”
TVNL Comment: Finally! How outrageous that this decent and courageous man was detained for even a day.