By LJ News Opinions A federal judge on Friday, June 20, 2025, ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and anti-Israel activist, from immigration custody calling the circumstances of his detention “highly unusual” and citing no risk to the community or concern of flight.
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz, appointed by President Biden, issued the ruling from New Jersey, saying Khalil’s continued detention was unwarranted as his civil and immigration cases move forward.
Khalil, who was arrested in March outside his Columbia University apartment, had been held in Jena, Louisiana far from his legal team and family. His attorneys called the government’s decision to detain him an “exceedingly rare” and unconstitutional act of retaliation.
Following his arrest, Khalil filed a habeas corpus petition seeking bail or transfer to a New Jersey facility. The court agreed Friday, citing the “extraordinary circumstances” surrounding his case.
