### Activist Mahmoud Khalil's Detention: A Legal Battle Over Immigration and Free Speech - Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist, has been embroiled in a contentious legal battle following his detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Initially detained under claims that his presence in the U.S. posed a threat to national interests, a federal judge recently ruled that the Trump administration could not use foreign policy as a basis for his detention. However, Khalil remains in custody due to new allegations of immigration fraud, complicating his situation further [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3458814-judge-denies-release-as-immigration-fraud-charges-shift-in-activists-detention]. ### Structure of the Legal Proceedings and Current Status 1. **Initial Detention and Legal Rulings**: - Khalil was detained in March 2025, with the Trump administration claiming he threatened U.S. foreign policy due to his activism [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/government-cant-hold-columbia-activist-mahmoud-khalil-federal-judge-rules.html]. - A federal judge ruled that the administration could not hold him on these grounds, citing violations of his First Amendment rights [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3458643-judge-opens-door-for-release-of-pro-palestinian-activist-held-by-trump-administration]. 2. **Shift in Legal Strategy**: - Following the judge's ruling, the government shifted its legal strategy, now alleging that Khalil lied on his green card application, which has led to his continued detention [https://www.wave3.com/2025/06/13/columbia-protestor-mahmoud-khalil-can-remain-jailed-over-claims-he-lied-green-card-application-judge-says]. 3. **Recent Court Decisions**: - On June 14, 2025, a judge denied Khalil's request for release, stating that the new immigration fraud charges justified his continued detention [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3458814-judge-denies-release-as-immigration-fraud-charges-shift-in-activists-detention]. - The legal battle continues as Khalil's team seeks to challenge the new allegations while advocating for his release based on the previous rulings [https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/mahmoud-khalil-denied-release-custody-trump-rubio-rcna208065]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Key Legal Dates**: - March 2025: Khalil detained by ICE. - June 11, 2025: Judge rules against the Trump administration's basis for detention [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/11/judge-trump-administration-mahmoud-khalil]. - June 14, 2025: Judge denies release based on new immigration fraud charges [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3458814-judge-denies-release-as-immigration-fraud-charges-shift-in-activists-detention]. - **Legal Implications**: - The case raises significant questions about the intersection of immigration law and free speech rights, particularly for activists involved in politically sensitive issues [https://www.abcnews.go.com/US/government-release-palestinian-activist-mahmoud-khalil/story?id=122813110]. ### Conclusion: The Ongoing Legal Struggle of Mahmoud Khalil - **Current Status**: Khalil remains in detention as the legal battle unfolds, with the government now focusing on immigration fraud allegations to justify his continued custody. - **Implications for Free Speech**: This case highlights the potential risks faced by activists in the U.S. and the legal complexities surrounding immigration and free speech rights. - **Next Steps**: Khalil's legal team is expected to continue challenging the new charges while advocating for his release based on the earlier judicial rulings that favored his rights [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3458692-activist-mahmoud-khalils-detention-sparks-legal-battle-over-free-speech].