Judge to Rule Friday on Detention of Columbia Activist Mahmoud Khalil

The Trump administration has 24 hours to present evidence supporting Khalil's deportation, as legal challenges over his detention intensify.

Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident and Columbia University activist, was detained on March 8 for his pro-Palestinian protests, facing allegations of ties to Hamas despite no criminal charges.
An immigration judge in Louisiana has given the Department of Homeland Security until Wednesday to provide evidence supporting Khalil's deportation under a rarely used statute tied to foreign policy concerns.
If sufficient evidence is not presented, the judge has indicated she will terminate the case during a scheduled hearing on Friday.
Khalil's detention has drawn criticism over due process concerns, with his transfer to a Louisiana facility far from his legal team and family, including his pregnant wife, raising further alarm.
The case highlights a broader trend of targeting foreign-born student activists under the Trump administration, sparking debates over free speech, government overreach, and national security.