A federal judge has ruled that Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil is allowed to travel across the United States while he contests his deportation case, which was initiated by the Trump administration. This decision comes after Khalil, who had been detained in a Louisiana immigration facility, requested the removal of restrictions that confined him to certain states including New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Louisiana, and Michigan.
Khalil’s lawyer, Alina Das, argued during a virtual hearing that Khalil seeks to engage in speeches concerning pressing public issues. The government’s attorney, Aniello DeSimone, opposed this request, suggesting that Khalil could participate in events through telephonic means without the need for physical presence. However, the magistrate judge, Michael Hammer, ruled in favor of Khalil, recognizing that he poses no flight risk and has complied with the terms of his release.
While Khalil, a green card holder, is permitted to travel, he is required to inform U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about his plans beforehand. An immigration judge recently ruled that Khalil might face deportation after allegedly failing to disclose his associations in his green card application. This includes claims regarding his past involvement with a United Nations agency and ongoing employment at the British Embassy in Lebanon, both of which Khalil disputes, stating he was merely an unpaid intern at the agency.
Khalil has been a key figure in protests against the Gaza conflict at Columbia University and was arrested by ICE agents in March 2025, marking him as one of the first campus activists targeted under President Trump’s administration due to his pro-Palestinian stance. The administration has accused him and other activists of promoting antisemitism, a charge Khalil denies, asserting his commitment to peaceful protest.
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