Judge Blocks Trump Admin’s Attempt To Move Khalil Trial

Man speaking at podium with American flags behind

A federal judge deals a blow to the Trump administration’s deportation case against Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, ruling that the legal battle must remain in New Jersey rather than being moved to Louisiana.

Key Takeaways

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz rejected the Trump administration’s second attempt to move Khalil’s case to the conservative 5th Circuit Court in Louisiana.
Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student with legal residency, was detained under a rarely invoked statute claiming his presence has “serious adverse foreign policy consequences.”
The administration allegedly moved Khalil from New Jersey to Louisiana in what his lawyers called a “transparent attempt” to manipulate jurisdiction.
Khalil’s attorneys can now proceed with arguments for his release in New Jersey, where he hopes to join his pregnant wife before their child’s birth on April 28.
The case represents an early test of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to deport pro-Palestinian activists involved in campus protests.

Judge Blocks Jurisdictional Maneuver

The Trump administration’s strategy to relocate Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation case to Louisiana hit a roadblock when U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled that the case must remain in New Jersey. This decision marks the second failed attempt by the administration to move proceedings to the more conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals jurisdiction. Judge Farbiarz determined that since Khalil was detained in New Jersey when the petition was filed, proper jurisdiction remains there despite his subsequent transfer to Louisiana.

The judge dismissed the government’s argument that a clerical error justified transferring the case, calling their reasoning “unpersuasive.” In his ruling, Judge Farbiarz wrote, “The Court’s jurisdiction is not defeated by the Petitioner having been moved to Louisiana,” effectively ensuring that Khalil’s legal team can present their arguments in what they consider a more favorable venue. This jurisdictional dispute has become central to the case, with Khalil’s supporters alleging that his relocation was deliberately designed to limit his legal options.

A federal judge has ruled that the legal battle over Mahmoud Khalil's deportation should continue to play out in New Jersey, rejecting the Trump administration's bid to transfer the Columbia University protester's case to Louisiana. https://t.co/f38Z9XLvyL

— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 1, 2025

A Controversial Deportation Case

Khalil’s case has emerged as a significant test of the Trump administration’s approach toward foreign student activists. As a Columbia University graduate student with a green card, Khalil was detained for his participation in campus protests against U.S. military support for Israel during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The administration invoked a rarely used statute allowing deportation if a non-citizen’s presence is deemed to have “serious adverse foreign policy consequences” – marking the first such arrest under President Trump’s crackdown on student protesters.

Khalil’s legal team contends that the deportation attempt represents political retaliation rather than legitimate foreign policy concerns. They point to a pattern of visa revocations targeting foreign students involved in similar protests, arguing that the administration is selectively enforcing immigration laws based on political expression. While the ruling only resolves the jurisdictional dispute, it allows Khalil’s substantive claims challenging the constitutionality of his detention to proceed in New Jersey.

Human Impact and Next Steps

Behind the legal maneuvers lies a pressing human situation. Khalil’s wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, is expecting their child on April 28, and his legal team has requested his release from Louisiana detention to be with his family for the birth. Following the favorable jurisdictional ruling, Abdalla called it an “important step towards securing Mahmoud’s freedom,” while acknowledging that significant challenges remain. The ruling represents only a procedural victory, as the court has yet to address the fundamental question of whether the deportation effort itself is lawful.

“As filed on March 9 at 4:40am, can go forward in New Jersey because that is where the Petitioner was confined at that moment,” wrote U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz in his decision.

Justice Department attorney August Flentje had argued for transferring the case to Louisiana “for jurisdictional certainty,” but the judge determined this was unnecessary. With the venue question settled, the court will now turn to the substantive merits of Khalil’s challenge to his detention and pending deportation. The case continues to draw attention as it highlights tensions between national security claims, immigration enforcement, and constitutional protections for political expression – issues likely to remain prominent throughout the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.