Judge orders ICE to release Mahmoud Khalil

A federal judge on Friday ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to release Mahmoud Khalil, whom authorities arrested months ago as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on antisemitism.

Khalil has been in custody since March 8, after helping to organize an anti-Israel protest at Columbia University in 2024. He is a green-card holder and lawful resident, though authorities have sought to deport him.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ordered Khalil's release on Friday, asserting there was evidence to justify Khalil's assertion that "there is an effort to use the immigration charge here to punish the petitioner," The Hill reported.

Farbiarz previously rejected the administration's argument that he was undermining U.S. foreign policy.