Mahmoud Khalil asks Supreme Court to take up his detention case
Activist Mahmoud Khalil asked the Supreme Court on Monday to take up his case, NBC News, the Guardian and the Washington Examiner reported. He wants federal judges to be able to rule on his detention now. The Homeland Security Department said the government acted within its power.
Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil asked the Supreme Court on Monday to review his case and let federal judges quickly decide whether immigration detentions are lawful, NBC News, the Guardian and the Washington Examiner reported.
Khalil wants the court to overturn a ruling this year by the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals, which found federal courts cannot review the legality of his detention until immigration courts have fully considered his case, NBC News and the Washington Examiner reported. An expanded panel of that court upheld the ruling in a 6-5 decision, the Guardian reported.
Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and former Columbia University graduate student, was arrested in March 2025 after taking part in pro-Palestinian protests, NBC News and the Guardian reported. He spent more than three months in detention before a federal judge in New Jersey ordered him freed, NBC News and the Guardian reported. The government argued his presence harmed US foreign policy interests, NBC News reported.
"This fight is not only about whether I get to stay in this country, it's really about whether anyone in this country can speak out for Palestinians without being punished for it," Khalil said at a news conference, according to the Guardian. He said the appeal was "bigger than just my ability to stay here," NBC News reported.
His lawyers warned that letting the ruling stand would give the government "a powerful and unprecedented weapon to silence its critics," the Washington Examiner reported. "It's terrifying," said Baher Azmy, legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, part of Khalil's legal team, according to the Guardian.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said "the Trump Administration acted well within its statutory and constitutional authority with respect to Khalil" and that he should "self-deport," the Guardian reported. The Justice Department argues Khalil failed to disclose past associations when applying for his visa and green card, the Washington Examiner reported. The State and Justice departments did not respond to requests for comment, the Guardian reported.
What we know: Khalil has petitioned the Supreme Court to let federal judges review his detention claims now.
What we don't: Whether the court will agree to hear the case.
Where outlets agree NBC News, the Guardian and the Washington Examiner report that Khalil asked the Supreme Court on Monday to review an appeals court ruling that blocked federal judges from hearing his challenge.
Where they differ Khalil says his detention was punishment for protected speech, while the Department of Homeland Security says the government acted within its authority and the Justice Department says he failed to disclose past associations.