Appeals Court Grants Mahmoud Khalil More Time Amid Deportation Battle
In a significant development, former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil has been granted additional time to contest efforts by the Trump administration to deport him from the United States.
Khalil, who holds lawful permanent residency in the U.S., was detained after participating in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University during the spring of 2024. The U.S. government contended that his presence threatened national foreign policy interests.
After spending several months in detention, a federal judge in New Jersey ordered Khalil’s release, citing unconstitutional government actions. This decision, however, was challenged by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which determined that the immigration courts should handle the case first.
In a recent turn of events, the appeals court decided to suspend its decision, allowing Khalil to petition the U.S. Supreme Court. Brett Max Kaufman from the American Civil Liberties Union, representing Khalil, expressed appreciation for the ruling. “We look forward to asking the Supreme Court to make clear that the government cannot use the threat of detention and deportation to silence dissent,” Kaufman stated.
An appeal to the Supreme Court is anticipated later this year. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not provided any comment on the latest decision.
Parallel to this, Khalil’s legal team continues to argue his case in immigration courts, though they have not yet succeeded. His separate appeal is under review by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana.
The 3rd Circuit’s decision to stay offers Khalil temporary protection against re-arrest and deportation while his appeals remain unresolved. The court stipulated that if no timely petition is filed, involved parties must notify the court in writing.
