A federal judge in New Jersey has preliminarily ruled that the Trump administration's attempt to deport a Columbia University student, Khalil, may violate the US Constitution. Khalil, a US green card holder, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after leading anti-war protests on campus. The government sought to deport him, citing national security concerns.
Judge Farbiarz, who is presiding over the case, stated on Wednesday (May 28) that under Amendment One to the Constitution, which protects free speech, the immigration law clauses invoked by the Trump administration cannot be used to justify deporting Khalil based on his political expressions.
The judge also noted that Secretary of State Rubio failed to prove Khalil's actions had a tangible impact on US foreign relations. The claim that Khalil's protests endangered diplomacy or fueled anti-Semitism was described as unprecedented. However, the judge requested additional documentation related to Khalil's green card application before making a final ruling.
Khalil remains detained at an immigration facility in Louisiana, where he has missed both his graduation ceremony and the birth of his first child. Khalil's lawyer emphasized that the judge's initial opinion is a significant step forward, stating that the court recognized what they already knew: Secretary Rubio weaponized immigration laws to punish Khalil and others like him.
Columbia Law School Professor Mukherjee called the case one of the most high-profile examples of Trump's hardline immigration policies. Mukherjee said that if the court finds that the government targeted Khalil for actions protected under the Constitution, then its actions are indeed unconstitutional.
(Source: Wen Wei Po)
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