Judge says Trump cannot deport or detain Mahmoud Khalil

A federal judge said on Wednesday that the Trump administration cannot deport or continue to detain Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist who was arrested by immigration officers in March.

But Judge Michael Farbiarz put a pause on his injunction until the morning of 13 June to give the federal government time to appeal. Khalil will be detained at least until that point.

In his written decision, Judge Farbiarz said there was no compelling interest to keep Khalil in custody or to deport the 30-year-old, who is a lawful permanent resident.

Since he was arrested at his home in New York, Mr Khalil has been held at a detention centre in Louisiana.

He was taken into custody as part of President Donald Trump's wider crackdown on international students who protested the Israel-Gaza war.

Mr Khalil has become one of the most high-profile cases in that crackdown, with videos of his arrest whipping around social media and the birth of his child in April, while he was being held, making headlines.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had determined his presence and activities in the country compromised US foreign policy interests and he should be removed, but the judge on Wednesday questioned using the determination to hold or deport Mr Khalil.

He also wrote that Mr Khalil's "career and reputation are being damaged and his speech is being chilled --- and this adds up to irreparable harm" and that he expects Mr Khalil to win in the case against him.

The federal government is expected to appeal against the injunction.

Mr Khalil's attorneys at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a statement celebrating the injunction as a win for their client.

"Today's ruling is a huge win for the Constitution and the rights of citizens and non-citizens alike," said Brett Max Kaufman, a senior counsel for the group. "No one should be imprisoned or deported for their political beliefs."

Mr Khalil's wife Noor Abdalla called for him to be released immediately and sent home "to be with me and our newborn baby, Deen".

In a statement provided by the ACLU, she said: "I will not rest until Mahmoud is free, and hope that he can be with us to experience his first Father's Day at home."