Overview
- Immigration Judge Jamee Comans has ordered the U.S. government to provide evidence by Wednesday supporting Mahmoud Khalil's deportation or risk having the case terminated on Friday.
- Khalil, a lawful U.S. resident and Columbia University activist, was detained by ICE on March 8 for his role in pro-Palestinian protests and is being held in a Louisiana detention center.
- The Trump administration alleges Khalil's activism aligns with Hamas, citing foreign policy concerns, but has not yet provided evidence to substantiate these claims.
- Khalil and his attorneys argue that his detention violates his constitutional right to free speech and is a retaliatory measure against his political dissent.
- The case has drawn national attention, highlighting concerns over government overreach, civil liberties, and the use of obscure legal statutes to target activists.