Mahmoud Khalil renews requests for release on bail or transfer to N.J. jail, court documents show

Lawyers representing Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident and Columbia University graduate student, renewed requests to release Khalil on bail or transfer him to N.J. to be closer to his family, according to court documents filed on Jun. 16. Immigration officers arrested Khalil on Mar. 8 and told him his green card will be revoked, claiming that his criticisms of Israel could undermine U.S. foreign policy.Khalil is not facing any criminal charges. He is currently detained at an immigration detention center in Louisiana. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz of N.J. ruled on Jun. 11 that Khalil’s detention and potential deportation violate First Amendment free speech rights. The U.S. government appealed that decision and alleged a second charge against Khalil, claiming he committed fraud on his green card application. Khalil’s latest requests to Newark federal court comes after Farbiarz ruled in favor of the government’s appeal. Last week, Farbiarz said it is rare to apply this charge to Khalil’s detainment. Khalil’s legal teams denied the allegations of fraud.

From Truthout.