Summary
Lawyers are asking a US appeals court to keep a previous decision that freed Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestine solidarity activist, from immigration detention. The US government is trying to deport Khalil due to his activism at Columbia University, citing an immigration law related to foreign policy. Khalil is appealing his immigration case, which is still ongoing.
Key Facts
- Mahmoud Khalil was released from immigration detention by a lower court; lawyers want this decision upheld.
- The US government seeks to deport him over his activism, using a law related to foreign policy.
- Khalil, a legal resident, is the first well-known activist in the US to face deportation for campus activism.
- President Trump’s administration targets students for deportation, accusing them of supporting terrorism.
- ACLU argues the government is misusing broad deportation powers and that expressing ideas should not be punished.
- Khalil was arrested in March and missed the birth of his child while detained.
- Khalil’s immigration case involves claims he hid UN work on visa and residency applications.
- His case is appealing through the Board of Immigration Appeals and may move to a circuit court.
