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Take my word for it, that's exactly how Israeli courts judge Palestinians.
Legal proceedings appear to ‘rubber stamp’ US administration’s desire to deport Mahmoud Khalil
The judge overseeing Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation case had asked the government to provide evidence that his presence in the United States was compromising American foreign policy, as the secretary of state has alleged in order to invoke the deportation clause.
What the secretary of state did, though, was provide a two-page memo that accepted that Khalil’s actions up to this point and in the future may seem legal but that was why he had made a personal determination that Khalil’s presence compromised US foreign policy goals and, effectively, the judge should just take Marco Rubio’s word for it.
And, today, the judge did take Marco Rubio’s word for it. Very swiftly, didn’t accept any arguments from Khalil’s defence.
So now, this process will move forward to more arguments in deportation court at the end of April.
Meanwhile, the federal legal arguments about the constitutionality of Khalil’s detention are still taking place in New Jersey. That’s where the constitutional discussions will take place.
This side of the legal proceedings against Khalil seems to be turning into simply a rubber stamp for Marco Rubio and the Trump administration’s desires.
US lawmakers slam Mahmoud Khalil detention, deportation as unconstitutional
Mahmoud's case is a litmus test for the right to free speech in our country. This ruling jeopardizes dissent.
Attacks on the First Amendment will not stop with student activists advocating for Palestinian rights. https://t.co/r41G96Y4cP
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) April 11, 2025
Prominent US lawmakers have joined a chorus of condemnation on the ongoing detention of Mahmoud Khalil after an immigration judge ruled the Columbia University student can be deported on the grounds of threats to US national security.
Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez described the Trump administration’s detention of Khalil as an “attack on the First Amendment”, which guarantees freedom of speech.
“Mahmoud’s case is a litmus test for the right to free speech in our country. This ruling jeopardizes dissent,” she said.
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez also labelled Khalil’s detention a “clear 1st Amendment violation”.
“I stand with Mahmoud, and anyone who cares about our constitutional rights should too,” she said.
The Trump admin hasn’t accused Mahmoud Khalil of committing a crime. But they’ve labeled his speech a threat and targeted him for deportation.
This is a clear 1st Amendment violation. I stand with Mahmoud, and anyone who cares about our constitutional rights should too. https://t.co/6Nvlb4sUoZ
— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@NydiaVelazquez) April 11, 2025
