A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Saturday over alleged support for Hamas.
Judge Jesse M. Furman ruled that Khalil must be allowed to remain in the United States while the court maintains jurisdiction over his case. A hearing on his detention and potential deportation is scheduled for Wednesday in a New York federal court.
Following his arrest, hundreds of protesters gathered at Federal Plaza in New York, chanting “Free, Free Palestine” and condemning the U.S. government’s alleged crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices under political pressure.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New York called Khalil’s arrest an attack on free speech, arguing that punishing or deporting individuals based on their political stance is unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, U.S. authorities maintain that under President Donald Trump’s executive order, individuals supporting Hamas could have their visas and Green Cards revoked. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that the U.S. would take strict action against those deemed supporters of Hamas.
Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, called his arrest politically motivated and has filed an emergency petition for his release.
His wife, who is eight months pregnant, was denied visitation after he was transferred from a detention center in New Jersey to an immigration facility in Louisiana, sparking outrage among his family and supporters.
Khalil, a former Columbia University student, has become a focal point in the debate over the U.S. government’s handling of Palestinian solidarity movements. Experts argue that his detention raises concerns over political freedoms and is part of a broader strategy to suppress activism in support of Palestinian rights.
