Chicago – Janaury 15, 2026
A federal appeals court has ruled that a lower court lacked jurisdiction to order the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and prominent pro-Palestinian activist, from immigration detention, potentially paving the way for his rearrest.
The 2-1 decision by the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on January 15, 2026, dismissed Khalil’s habeas corpus lawsuit challenging his detention, siding with the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. Judges Thomas Hardiman and Stephanos Bibas, both Republican appointees, held that claims must be addressed via immigration judge appeals under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Khalil, a Palestinian legal permanent resident arrested in March 2025 amid campus protests against Israel’s Gaza war, was detained for months before U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered his release in June. An immigration judge later mandated deportation to Algeria or Syria over green card application omissions, a ruling under appeal.
Khalil called the decision “deeply disappointing” but vowed continued resolve, with lawyers planning further appeals that delay immediate re-detention. The case highlights tensions over free speech and immigration enforcement targeting pro-Palestinian activism.
