Columbia University Student Mahmoud Khalil Challenges U.S. Detention Decision
Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil is contesting his transfer to a Louisiana detention center, claiming it violates his First Amendment rights. The U.S. government cites overcrowding and bedbug issues as reasons for his relocation, which he disputes. Legal proceedings surrounding his case are complex and ongoing, with Khalil’s attorneys challenging the government’s motives and factual basis for the transfer.
A legal dispute has arisen between Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil and the U.S. government regarding his detention in Louisiana. Khalil faces potential deportation related to his involvement in campus protests against Israel. The federal government contends that overcrowding and bedbug issues at a nearby facility necessitated his transfer to a Louisiana immigration lockup, a claim Khalil denies.
In a declaration submitted to a federal court, Khalil stated, “I did not hear anyone mention bedbugs” during his overnight stay at a detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His lawyers have requested bail while the courts assess whether his arrest constitutes a violation of his First Amendment rights concerning expressive activity supporting Palestinian rights.
Khalil expressed his fears regarding deportation when he was transported from the Elizabeth facility. He recalled asking if he was being taken back to FBI headquarters, only to be informed, “no, we are going to JFK Airport.” He described the poor conditions at the detention facility, noting, “We slept on the ground” without beds or blankets.
The Justice Department’s legal team detailed Khalil’s arrest and subsequent transport to Louisiana, indicating he was held in the Elizabeth facility from 2:20 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on March 9. They argued that the legal proceedings should be handled by judges in New Jersey or Louisiana instead of New York, a motion not yet ruled upon by a Manhattan federal judge.
Khalil’s attorneys counter the government’s reasoning, labeling the transfer as predetermined and driven by misguided intentions rather than a legitimate bedbug issue. Despite the government’s claims, the Elizabeth Detention Center accepted multiple detainees during Khalil’s stay, further challenging the justification for his relocation.
The legal conflict surrounding Mahmoud Khalil’s detention highlights significant concerns about the treatment of noncitizens engaged in protected expressive activities. Khalil disputes the government’s rationale for his transfer and asserts his fears of deportation. This case underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement and the implications for individual rights, particularly regarding First Amendment protections.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
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