Anti-Israel Agitator at Columbia Still Held as DOJ Finds New Path

A federal judge ruled that Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil can remain in detention—but not based on national security concerns from the State Department. The Department of Justice (DOJ) quickly shifted tactics to justify his continued custody on other grounds.

Key Facts:

Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident and Columbia student, has been in federal custody since March 8.
Khalil was involved in leading an anti-Israel protest at Columbia University last year.
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz rejected the Trump administration’s argument that Khalil was a national security threat.
The DOJ amended its detention rationale on Friday, citing immigration-related concerns instead of national security threats.
Judge Farbiarz upheld Khalil’s detention under this revised justification.

The Rest of The Story:

Mahmoud Khalil’s detention remains in place following a strategic shift by the Department of Justice.

After Judge Farbiarz rejected the initial claim that Khalil posed a national security threat—an assessment made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio—the DOJ updated its legal basis.

It now argues Khalil can be detained due to immigration-related matters.

Farbiarz accepted this argument, stating, “To the extent the Petitioner requests relief from this Court, the request is denied.”

Khalil was originally taken into custody in March, tied to his participation in a disruptive anti-Israel demonstration at Columbia University.

Despite being a legal permanent resident, his role in those protests raised red flags across federal agencies.

BREAKING: New order by district court in New Jersey refuses to release Mahmoud Khalil. The Palestinian activist and recent graduate of Columbia University will remain detained, for now.

Here is the court's order and reasoning. @DropSiteNews pic.twitter.com/WD0qGCymLA

— Meghnad Bose (@MeghnadBose93) June 13, 2025

Commentary:

This decision gives the DOJ a second chance to deal with Khalil properly.

While the judge struck down Rubio’s national security justification, it doesn’t mean Khalil is off the hook.

Far from it.

He may not be deported under a State Department determination, but he’s still in legal limbo—and that opens a lane for prosecutors to act decisively.

Khalil’s actions go far beyond a student protest.

He aligned himself with radical anti-Israel rhetoric and took part in demonstrations that left Jewish students afraid to attend class.

These weren’t peaceful debates.

They escalated into chaos, vandalism, and intimidation—real consequences for real people.

Let’s not forget: Khalil has ties to pro-Palestinian groups that sympathize with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.

That connection alone should warrant serious scrutiny.

His status as a legal permanent resident gives him protections, but not immunity from consequences when he acts in ways that contradict American values and security.

The DOJ cannot afford to fumble this case.

If deportation is no longer viable under the revised standard, then criminal charges must follow.

A man sowing division and fear on U.S. soil, particularly at one of the nation’s most influential universities, must be held accountable.

It’s not just about policy—it’s about protecting students, upholding public order, and drawing a clear line between free speech and terror-adjacent activism.

The protests at Columbia didn’t exist in a vacuum; they were part of a growing, coordinated effort to spread dangerous ideology under the guise of campus activism.

Khalil’s rhetoric poisons minds and emboldens extremism.

If the DOJ won’t act now, what precedent does that set?

America doesn’t need more hesitation—it needs resolve.