The ongoing legal dispute between the federal government and a Columbia University student, facing the threat of deportation due to his involvement in campus protests against Israel, continues to unfold. The crux of the matter revolves around the Trump administration’s decision to relocate him to a detention center in Louisiana, halfway across the country. The government justifies this move by citing a bedbug infestation at a nearby facility.
Mahmoud Khalil, the student in question, disputes the government’s rationale, claiming he never heard any mention of bedbugs during his overnight stay at a detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His declaration, submitted to a Manhattan federal court, challenges the government’s narrative, expressing concern that the relocation was actually an immediate step towards deportation.
In court documents, the Justice Department attributed Khalil’s relocation not only to the bedbug issue but also to overcrowding in Northeastern detention centers. Khalil’s legal team has filed for his release on bail, arguing that his arrest might infringe upon First Amendment rights. They have further requested the court to prevent the U.S. government from targeting noncitizens engaged in protected expressive activities, particularly those supporting Palestinian rights or critiquing Israel.
Khalil recounted his experience upon leaving the Elizabeth facility, noting that when he inquired about his destination, he was told he was headed to JFK Airport. This led him to fear an impending deportation. During his temporary stay in Elizabeth, Khalil mentioned being held in a communal waiting room with minimal accommodations—a stark and uncomfortable environment.
The Justice Department’s account details Khalil’s arrest on March 8, describing his transport from Manhattan to Elizabeth and later to JFK Airport before being flown to Louisiana. The lawyers maintain that his temporary housing in Elizabeth was inevitable due to the bedbug problem until his scheduled flight.
The legal team representing Khalil argues that the transfer to Louisiana was motivated by improper reasons, dismissing the bedbug explanation as unfounded. They emphasized in their recent filing that despite the bedbug claims, the Elizabeth Detention Facility continued to process and accept new detainees. Khalil also witnessed this process during his brief stay.
As the legal battle progresses, Khalil’s lawyers oppose the case being heard in New Jersey or Louisiana courts, preferring to keep proceedings in New York. A federal judge in Manhattan has yet to make a decision on this jurisdictional request. The outcome of this case could set significant precedents concerning free speech and the treatment of noncitizens involved in political activism.
