Judge rules Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation case must continue in New Jersey

Judge Rejects Bid to Move Columbia Protester Deportation Case

NEWARK, NJ — A federal judge has decided that the legal dispute concerning the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University protester, will remain in New Jersey. This ruling thwarts the Trump administration’s attempt to relocate the case to Louisiana, delivering a setback in the ongoing battle over student activist deportations.

Jurisdiction Remains in New Jersey

In a decision issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz in Newark stated that New Jersey maintains jurisdiction over the case. Judge Farbiarz reasoned that because Khalil was detained in New Jersey when his legal team submitted the habeas corpus petition, the case rightfully belongs in this jurisdiction. He dismissed the government’s counter-argument as “unpersuasive,” upholding the initial venue for the proceedings.

Implications of the Ruling

This judicial decision does not automatically ensure Khalil’s release from the detention facility in Louisiana, where he is currently held. The government is pursuing his deportation due to his involvement in campus demonstrations opposing Israeli policies. However, the ruling empowers Khalil’s lawyers to present their arguments for his release before a judge within the New Jersey court system. This procedural aspect is crucial for the defense’s strategy.

Avoiding Conservative Appeals Court

Had the case been transferred to Louisiana, it could have potentially been reviewed by one of the nation’s most conservative appellate courts. Such a scenario raised concerns that judges in that circuit might establish a significant legal precedent. This precedent could have impacted not only Khalil’s specific situation but also the broader efforts by the Trump administration to deport non-citizen student activists involved in protests and demonstrations. The New Jersey ruling avoids this potential outcome, keeping the case within a different legal context.