Federal judge rules Trump’s deportation of anti-Israel activist likely unconstitutional
A federal judge in New Jersey made a significant ruling on Wednesday, declaring President Donald Trump’s attempt to deport anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil as likely unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz issued the ruling, expressing concerns about the vagueness of the deportation order issued by the Trump administration.
While Judge Farbiarz did not order Khalil’s immediate release, he emphasized that the deportation order was at risk of being dismissed for being “unconstitutionally vague.” Following the ruling, Khalil’s legal team stated, “The district court held what we already knew: Secretary Rubio’s weaponization of immigration law to punish Mahmoud and others like him is likely unconstitutional.”
Mahmoud Khalil, who has been targeted for deportation after being approved by a U.S. immigration judge, has been vocal about his belief that his free speech rights are being violated by the Trump administration. Khalil has been accused of leading anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, further fueling the controversy surrounding his case.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attorneys have countered Khalil’s claims, arguing that his free speech defense is a diversion from the real issue at hand. They allege that Khalil misrepresented information on his visa applications, specifically failing to disclose his prior employment with the Syrian office in the British Embassy in Beirut when applying for permanent U.S. residency.
Khalil, who holds Algerian citizenship through his mother but was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, has been married to Noor Abdalla, a U.S. citizen, since 2023. The couple met in 2016 while volunteering in Lebanon, and Abdalla was eight months pregnant at the time of Khalil’s arrest.
This case has sparked national attention and raised questions about the intersection of free speech rights, immigration laws, and national security concerns. As the legal battle continues, the outcome of Khalil’s deportation remains uncertain, with implications that could extend beyond his individual case.
The complexities of this situation highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy, constitutional rights, and the government’s authority to enforce deportation orders. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for similar cases in the future and may set a precedent for how the government navigates the delicate balance between national security and individual rights.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
