Trending Now - Court Grants Mahmoud Khalil Extension in Deportation Battle

WHO:

CBS News - Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist.

ABC News - Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

WHAT:

CBS News - A federal appeals court granted Mahmoud Khalil more time to fight the Trump administration's efforts to deport him.

ABC News - The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted Khalil a temporary stay of its earlier order denying a rehearing of his detention case.

ABC News - The ruling prevents the Trump administration from detaining Khalil while he seeks a review of his case by the Supreme Court.

ABC News - Khalil was released from ICE custody last June following his arrest by federal agents in March 2025.

WHERE:

ABC News - Khalil was arrested in New York City.

WHEN:

ABC News - Khalil was released from ICE custody in June 2025.

ABC News - Khalil was arrested in March 2025.

WHY:

ABC News - Khalil was detained based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's determination that his speech would "compromise a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest."

HOW:

ABC News - The court recognized the irreparable harm Khalil would face if re-detained before the Supreme Court reviewed his case.

ABC News - Brett Max Kaufman, senior counsel at the ACLU's Center for Democracy, stated that detention would separate Khalil from his family and chill his speech.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 04:22 UTC)

A federal appeals court has granted Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist, more time to contest the Trump administration's efforts to deport him. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay on its earlier denial of a rehearing in his detention case, preventing the Trump administration from detaining Khalil while he seeks a Supreme Court review. This ruling acknowledges the irreparable harm Khalil would face if re-detained, as it would separate him from his family and suppress his ability to speak freely.