
A judge is slamming the brakes on the Trump administration’s attempt to deport a pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University’s 2024 student encampment protests.
The judge ordered the Trump administration and attorneys for Mahmoud Khalil to appear for a conference Wednesday morning at 11:30 a.m. at court in Lower Manhattan.
“To preserve the Court’s jurisdiction pending a ruling on the petition, [Khalil] shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the Court orders otherwise,” Judge Jesse Furman wrote.
Khalil was arrested Saturday night by federal immigration authorities. Khalil’s attorney said they claimed they were acting on a State Department order to revoke Khalil’s green card.
Khalil is being held in Jena, Louisiana awaiting immigration court proceedings that might result in his deportation.
Word of the judge’s decision comes as protesters took to the streets of Manhattan to demonstrate against Khalil’s arrest.
Check back soon for more on this developing story.