The Trump administration said in a court filing on June 13 that it would continue detaining Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University student who alleged retaliation based on his advocacy surrounding the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
Justice Department attorneys informed U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz of the administration’s decision two days after the judge had ordered officials not to detain or remove Khalil. In a letter, the attorneys said that Farbiarz blocked one avenue for detaining Khalil but that he could continue being detained on other legal grounds.
“The Court did not order Respondents to release Petitioner Mahmoud Khalil. … The Court instead enjoined Respondents from detaining Khalil ‘based on the Secretary of State’s determination,’” the department’s letter reads….