Appeals Court Reverses Khalil Release

A federal appeals panel, the United States — United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, reversed a lower court's decision that had released Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student, from immigration jail. This ruling brings the United States government closer to detaining and deporting Mahmoud Khalil. The panel ruled that the federal district court in New Jersey lacked jurisdiction over the matter, stating that federal immigration laws require deportation challenges to be made through a federal appeals court after a final order of removal. Mahmoud Khalil was arrested in March 2025 and detained for three months, accused by federal officials of leading activities 'aligned to Hamas' and failing to disclose information on his green card application, though no criminal conduct has been proven. The Donald Trump administration had appealed the initial ruling that ordered Mahmoud Khalil's release. Mahmoud Khalil's legal team plans to exhaust all appeal options, as he faces potential deportation to Algeria or Syria, where his attorneys argue he would face mortal danger.