Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi left federal prison, but his case isn't over. His lawyer says the Trump administration's case against him is "laughable" and "unconstitutional."
A federal judge in Vermont ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University who was arrested at his US citizenship interview and ordered deported.
The decision offers a venue compromise in the bellwether case, while Khalil's legal team seeks to release him from detention and block his deportation.
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Mahmoud Khalil's attorney, Amy Greer, about her client's recent arrest. Khalil, a green card holder, is currently being detained by ICE officers.
The Trump administration has accused Khalil of engaging in anti-Semitic activity and support of Hamas. The administration wants Khalil deported. But he's a legal permanent resident, and his attorneys deny any involvement with the terrorist group.
Following the arrest of pro-Palestinian protest leader Mahmoud Khalil, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the Department of Homeland Security is working to make additional arrests.
Arrest of green card holder marks escalation in Trump's efforts to deport those the administration sees as antisemitic and providing support to U.S.-designated terrorists.
Mahmoud Khalil was inside his university-owned apartment Saturday night when several Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered and took him into custody.
The administration said it was cancelling grants and other federal awards for Columbia for an alleged failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.