Judge tells government to provide evidence, or case against Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil is over
Share and Follow


JENA, La. (AP) — An immigration judge in Louisiana said she would terminate the case against Mahmoud Khalil if the government does not provide evidence this week justifying their attempted deportation of the Columbia University student activist.

At a hearing Tuesday in Louisiana, Judge Jamee Comans gave the government 24 hours to provide evidence showing that Khalil, a 30-year-old legal permanent resident, should be expelled from the country for his role in campus protests against Israel and the war in Gaza. If the evidence does not support his removal, she said, “then I am going to terminate the case on Friday.”

Khalil has been held in a remote detention facility in Jena, Louisiana since his March 8 arrest by federal immigration authorities, the first in a growing number of attempted deportations against foreign-born students who joined pro-Palestinian protests or expressed criticism of Israel.

While the Trump administration has suggested that Khalil’s role as a spokesperson for protesters proved that he was “aligned with Hamas,” they have yet to produce evidence for the claim.

At Tuesday’s hearing, an attorney for Khalil, Marc Van Der Hout, said he had “not received a single document” in response to his request for “evidence and assertions” in the case. “We cannot plead until we know what the specific allegations are,” Van Der Hout said.

“I’m like you Mr. Van Der Hout, I’d like to see the evidence,” the judge replied.

Khalil, who wore a navy blue T-shirt over a beige sweatshirt, spoke only briefly to request that his wife be permitted remote access to the hearing. The judge obliged, noting that more than 600 people were awaiting access to the proceeding in a virtual lobby. “This is highly unusual,” Comans said.

Khalil’s detention has sparked fury among free speech advocates, who accuse the Trump administration of seeking to squelch criticism of Israel by labeling peaceful activists as terror-supporters. Khalil, an international affairs graduate student, served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student protesters at Columbia, but was not among those arrested and has not been accused of any crime.

In seeking to deport Khalil and other student activists, the Trump administration has relied on a rarely-used statute that authorizes the Secretary of State to expel noncitizens who pose “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”

They have alleged, without offering evidence, that Khalil’s prominent role in anti-Israel protests amounted to support for Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza and attacked Israel in October 2023.

Khalil and others involved in the protests have repeatedly denied claims of antisemitism.

In a letter dictated from jail last month, Khalil said his detention was a “direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza.”

As Khalil’s immigration case plays out in Louisiana, his attorneys have also challenged his detention and potential deportation before a federal judge in New Jersey. That judge last week rejected the Trump administration’s effort to transfer jurisdiction of the legal battle to Louisiana, but has yet to rule on the petition for his release.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Search continues for missing children and adults in Kerrville

AUSTIN (KXAN) The city of Kerrville and Kerr County provided another update…
Frankie Montas gives Mets' banged-up rotation a lift

Frankie Montas helps Mets’ injured pitching staff

Renovations may be imminent for the Mets’ staff as Frankie Montas stepped…
Forensic psychologist reveals Bryan Kohberger's bombshell motive

A forensic psychologist uncovers the surprising reason behind Bryan Kohberger’s actions.

After Bryan Kohberger confessed to the ruthless killings of four students at…
Yankees planning to call up starter Cam Schlittler for MLB debut

Yankees to bring up pitcher Cam Schlittler for his first MLB game

The plan to promote Cam Schlittler for his major league starting debut…
Tropical Storm Chantal strengthens slightly as it nears landfall in South Carolina

Tropical Storm Chantal gets stronger as it approaches South Carolina for landfall

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Chantal grew in strength as it approached…
Tropical Storm Chantal forecast to bring heavy rain to the Carolinas

Expect heavy rain in the Carolinas as Tropical Storm Chantal approaches

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Chantal formed off the southeast U.S. coast…
Claim $150 bonus or $1K first bet safety net for Wimbledon

Grasp a $150 bonus or secure a safety net for your first $1K bet at Wimbledon.

Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission…
Trump reacts to claim Iran could force US to pay for strike damage

Trump responds to suggestion that Iran might make the US cover costs of attack damage

Donald Trump laughed at the suggestion that Iran could make the United…