Palestinian activist appeals to US Supreme Court over detention

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 01:31 · Archive

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has asked the US Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that allows his potential re-arrest and deportation.

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and lawful permanent resident, has asked the US Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that would allow the Trump administration to re-arrest and deport him. He was arrested in March 2025 in the lobby of his university residence in Manhattan despite holding a green card.

Khalil's case stems from a decision by the Philadelphia-based 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals that ruled federal immigration law barred a lower-court judge from ordering his release from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. The Board of Immigration Appeals rejected his challenge to a deportation order in April, with immigration judges ordering his removal to Algeria or Syria. A lower court order currently prevents his re-detention pending the Supreme Court's decision.

Khalil was among the most prominent foreign students arrested in 2025 during the Trump administration's campaign to detain and deport non-citizens engaged in pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses. His lawyers argue the Supreme Court should clarify that immigration law does not prevent non-citizens from pursuing cases claiming detention was used to punish protected First Amendment speech. "If the Trump administration can punish someone for their pro-Palestine speech, this or any future administration can punish anyone for any speech," Khalil told reporters on Monday.

The US Department of Homeland Security said the Trump administration acted within its authority and encouraged Khalil to self-deport. A separate appeal of the immigration judge's order remains pending.

How it is being reported

• Palestinian activist takes case to US Supreme CourtPalestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has asked the US Supreme Court to let federal judges quickly decide the legality of immigration-related detentions.Perth Now · 20 Oct, 01:09
• Palestinian activist takes case to US Supreme CourtPalestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has asked the US Supreme Court to let federal judges quickly decide the legality of immigration-related detentions.The West Australian · 20 Oct, 01:09

In this story: Mahmoud Khalil · Trump administration · Columbia University · US Supreme Court · US Immigration and Customs Enforcement · Manhattan

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