A federal magistrate has lifted movement limitations within the United States for Mahmoud Khalil, allowing him to speak at events and other engagements across the nation while he fights efforts to deport him.
Khalil, who was released from a US immigration jail in the summer after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid student and activist roundups, had petitioned a federal magistrate judge to remove the restrictions that had limited his movement to certain locations.
At a virtual hearing, his attorney stated that her client “wants to move for the very significant free speech concerns that are at the heart of this case.”
“He seeks to address topics of public concern,” the attorney noted, citing the constitutional protection to free speech.
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However, the federal lawyer, who opposed the move, stated that Khalil “has not provided enough of a reason why he couldn’t attend these and other events remotely.”
Magistrate judge Michael Hammer consented to allow the activist to travel, stating that he was not deemed a risk of fleeing and had not violated any of his bail terms.
The magistrate agreed with the prosecution that Khalil is obligated to alert federal authorities about his itinerary.
Khalil, who is a legal green card holder, was detained by federal officers in early spring following his participation in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia, an prestigious institution in New York.
The government asserts it had the power to detain and deport Khalil, arguing that his presence in the United States is a risk to national security. A second allegation is that he omitted information about his work history and membership in groups on his application for a green card.
Following his freedom, the activist said he planned to persist in his criticism of the institution for what activists view as its capitulation to federal directives to restrict certain expression and address threats against students on campus.
