Attempt to deport Mahmoud Khalil, known for his anti-Israel stance, deemed possibly unlawful by a federal judge.
Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Activist Mahmoud Khalil, Citing Constitutional Concerns
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz in New Jersey has ruled that President Donald Trump's attempt to deport anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil is likely unconstitutional. The judge's decision does not order Khalil's release but deemed the deportation order "unconstitutionally vague."
The Trump administration's deportation order, based on Section 1227 of the U.S. Code, cited potential serious foreign policy consequences. However, the judge determined that the order was unfairly broad and arbitrary, questioning its use as a political tool.
Khalil's legal team applauded the ruling, stating, "What the district court held is what we already knew: Secretary Rubio's weaponization of immigration law to punish Mahmoud and others like him is likely unconstitutional."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended Khalil's arrest, citing anti-Semitic protests and disruptive activities, as well as citations for unlawful activity during the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University.
In a column for The Washington Post, Mahmoud Khalil accused the Trump administration of eroding his rights. Khalil, who was granted deportation by a U.S. immigration judge in April, argues that his free speech rights are being infringed upon.
The Department of Homeland Security attorneys, on the other hand, reject Khalil's free speech claims, describing them as a "red herring." The government alleges that Khalil lied on his visa applications by failing to disclose his employment with the Syrian office of the British Embassy in Beirut.
Born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, Khalil holds Algerian citizenship through his mother. He is married to Noor Abdalla, a U.S. citizen with whom he met in 2016 while volunteering in Lebanon. However, these details do not play a decisive role in the judge's constitutional findings.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., discussed the immigration matter on 'our website Live.' The current status of Khalil's detention is unknown due to ongoing legal challenges.
[Editor's note: Sources do not specify South Sudan as the country to which Khalil would be deported, nor is it the basis for the judge's decision.]
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, our website, contributed to this report. Anders Hagstrom can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders
Breaking news: A federal judge's ruling has blocked the Trump administration's attempt to deport anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil, citing constitutional concerns over the unconstitutionally vague deportation order. This decision comes amidst ongoing policy-and-legislation discussions surrounding Khalil's case, making it a significant development in the realm of general-news and politics.
