In brief
A federal judge has ruled in favor of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, lifting previous travel restrictions that prevented him from mobilizing across the U.S. Khalil, who is fighting a deportation case stemming from a crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists under the Trump administration, can now attend events and make public appearances. His attorney emphasized that his presence at these events is crucial for voicing significant First Amendment issues.
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has lifted travel restrictions for Mahmoud Khalil, allowing the Palestinian activist to speak at rallies and other events across the U.S. as he continues to battle his deportation case initiated by the Trump administration.
Khalil, who was freed from a Louisiana immigration jail in June, had previously requested a federal magistrate judge to lift the travel limits confining him to New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Louisiana, and Michigan.
During a virtual hearing Thursday, Khalil’s lawyer Alina Das stressed the importance of his ability to travel: He wants to travel for the significant First Amendment reasons that are the foundation of this case. He aims to address issues that concern the public.
A government attorney opposed the removal of the restrictions, asserting that Khalil failed to prove why he couldn't participate in events electronically.
Magistrate Judge Michael Hammer, however, noted that Khalil is not deemed a flight risk and has adhered to his release conditions, thus allowing his travel with the stipulation that Khalil must notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of his travel plans.
Khalil, a pivotal figure at Columbia University during protests against the Gaza conflict, was arrested by ICE agents on March 8, marking him as the first campus activist detained under President Trump's strict measures targeting pro-Palestinian voices. A recent graduate student and a legal U.S. permanent resident, Khalil was released from custody after missing the birth of his first child, following a separate ruling from a federal judge in June.
His legal team is actively contesting a recent immigration judge ruling in Louisiana that sanctioned his deportation for allegedly failing to disclose crucial information on his green card application.
