A federal court judge in Newark, New Jersey has ruled against a bail request from Mahmoud Khalil, leaving the Columbia University protest leader detained in a Louisiana ICE facility under controversial circumstances.

Judge Michael Farbiarz's decision prolongs Khalil's detention amid heightened scrutiny over the Trump administration's treatment of student activists, as the New York Post reports.

Khalil, a 30-year-old legal U.S. resident originally from Syria and a prominent figure in Columbia University's student activism, has been in ICE custody for over two weeks.

His arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents occurred unexpectedly in the lobby of his university-owned apartment in Manhattan, triggering widespread concern among his peers and activists.

Following the arrest, Khalil was transferred to a New Jersey ICE detention center, only to be flown subsequently to a facility in Louisiana. This move forms part of a broader pattern of alleged crackdowns by the Trump administration on student activists, particularly those voicing pro-Palestinian sentiments during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Federal Scrutiny Grows

Khalil's critical viewpoints, notably through his leadership in the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, which accuses Israel of genocide and ethnic cleansing, have placed him at the center of a contentious national debate.

His involvement in protests that distributed posters appearing to glorify Hamas has led the federal government to cite an obscure law related to "serious adverse foreign policy consequences" as the basis for his detention and proposed deportation.

The government also alleges that Khalil did not disclose his employment with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) when he applied for his visa, further complicating his legal standing in the U.S. Despite these accusations, Khalil was neither directly involved with Hamas nor arrested by NYPD during the protests, his legal team confirms.

Family, Community React to Court's Decision

The New Jersey court hearing concerning Khalil's future was concluded last week without him present.

Lasting 90 minutes, the session was primarily focused on a motion by the federal government to transfer his legal proceedings to Louisiana, delaying any discussion of his bail. Farbiarz has not yet made a ruling on this motion.

Noor Abdallah, Khalil's wife and an American citizen pregnant with the couple's child, attended the court hearing in a visibly distressed state.

The expectant mother is due to give birth next month and has been public about the emotional and physical support Khalil provided, especially important during pregnancy, as highlighted by their attorney, Ramzi Kassem.

Outside the courthouse, a vocal group of demonstrators, including students and human rights advocates, rallied under the chant "Free Mahmoud." They held signs bearing Khalil's face, reflecting the broad community support for his case and cause.

Legal, Advocacy Efforts Continue Amid Tensions

Ramzi Kassem, representing Khalil, emphasized the broader implications of the case during a post-hearing statement.

"No matter what happens in court, what's most important is for all of us to keep up the pressure," Kassem stated, asserting the need to challenge governmental suppression of free speech.

Khalil's situation highlights ongoing tensions within U.S. immigration policy and its intersection with international political activism.

The case, while specific to Khalil, reflects broader questions about the limits of acceptable protest and criticism of foreign policy in the U.S., particularly under an administration that has taken a firm stance against certain activist movements.

As the legal proceedings drag on, the outcome of Khalil's situation remains uncertain, with significant implications not only for his personal life and family but also for the broader landscape of civil liberties and political expression in the United States.