Deborah Archer President at American Civil Liberties Union | Official website
Today, the legal team of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student and activist, filed a preliminary injunction with the federal court in the Southern District of New York. The motion seeks his immediate release to join his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, who is eight months pregnant. The injunction also challenges the Trump administration's use of a provision from the 1953 Immigration and Nationality Act to detain noncitizens involved in advocacy for Palestine.
Khalil was arrested on March 8 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following his activism for Palestinian rights at Columbia University. He was subsequently transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana, away from his family and legal counsel.
Khalil’s legal representation includes Amy Greer from Dratel & Lewis, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and CLEAR. They secured a court order preventing Khalil's deportation while his case proceeds. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have joined this effort, arguing that Khalil's detention violates constitutional rights such as free speech and due process.
On March 15, an emergency bail motion was filed alongside letters of support from Columbia community members and medical documents highlighting the impact on Dr. Abdalla’s pregnancy.
Brian Hauss from ACLU stated: “No president can be allowed to set an ideological litmus test and exclude or remove people from our country with whom they disagree.” Samah Sisay from the Center for Constitutional Rights emphasized that Khalil faces "the loss of his freedom" due to retaliation for supporting Palestinian rights.
Donna Lieberman of NYCLU described Khalil's detention as "unconscionable," asserting that protesting foreign policy is not grounds for incarceration. Amy Greer highlighted that their actions defend not only Khalil’s rights but also those of others advocating similar causes.
The legal team continues to press for Khalil's release amid these extraordinary circumstances.
