Federal Judge Eases Travel Limitations for Palestinian Mahmoud Khalil, Allowing Unrestricted Travel Within the US
A federal judge has eased movement limitations within the United States for Mahmoud Khalil, allowing him to address gatherings and various activities across the nation while he fights attempts to deport him.
The activist, who was freed from a Louisiana immigration jail in the summer after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid student and activist roundups, had petitioned a judicial authority to remove the restrictions that had limited his movement to certain states.
At a remote proceeding, his legal representative stated that her client “wants to travel for the very significant free speech reasons that are at the bottom of this case.”
“He wants to speak topics of public concern,” the attorney noted, referencing the constitutional protection to free speech.
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However, the government’s attorney, who opposed the request, stated that the respondent “has not offered enough of a justification why he couldn’t attend these and other events remotely.”
The judge the presiding official agreed to allow the activist to travel, stating that he was not considered a flight risk and had not violated any of his release conditions.
The judge concurred with the prosecution that the individual is required to notify federal authorities about his travel plans.
The activist, who is a lawful US permanent resident, was detained by federal officers in March following his involvement in activist protests at the university, an prestigious institution in NY.
The administration asserts it had the power to detain and remove Khalil, claiming that his status in the United States is a risk to national security. A further claim is that he failed to disclose information about his work history and membership in groups on his petition for a permanent residency.
Following his release, the activist said he planned to continue his criticism of the university for what supporters consider as its capitulation to federal demands to curb certain expression and respond to threats against individuals on university grounds.
