Mahmoud Khalil’s legal team has submitted new evidence to a New Jersey federal court, arguing that he and others will suffer “irreparable harm” if his detention in Louisiana continues. The submissions include a brief, declarations, and expert reports challenging the legality of his detention and the Rubio Determination. Mr. Khalil also provided a declaration refuting government allegations against him.
This submission follows an opinion by Judge Michael E. Farbiarz, who questioned the constitutionality of the foreign policy grounds for Mr. Khalil’s arrest and detention. The court requested more information to decide on Mr. Khalil’s requests for release and an injunction against Secretary of State Rubio’s Determination.
The filings included personal accounts from Mr. Khalil’s wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, expressing her distress over his absence during their son’s early life. Others have written about the fear instilled among students and professors advocating for Palestinian rights due to his detention. A former State Department official criticized his detention as contrary to democratic values.
Mr. Khalil awaits a ruling on his preliminary injunction motion, along with motions for bail and return to New Jersey.
He was arrested by the Trump administration on March 8 in retaliation for his advocacy at Columbia University and transferred to Louisiana, far from family and legal support.
Mr. Khalil is represented by multiple organizations including Dratel & Lewis, the Center for Constitutional Rights, CLEAR, Van Der Hout LLP, Washington Square Legal Services, NYCLU, ACLU of New Jersey, ACLU of Louisiana, and ACLU.
