Judge rules Trump administration can continue to detain Mahmoud Khalil

Published June 13, 2025 10:00pm ET



A federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration could continue to detain Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist.

Judge Michael Farbiarz of the U.S. District Court for New Jersey rejected Khalil’s request for release and said he could remain in federal custody so long as his detention is not based on a determination by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Khalil is a national security threat.

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