US Judge Lifts Movement Restrictions for Activist Activist Khalil, Permitting Free Movement Across the US
A US judge has eased travel restrictions within the United States for the Palestinian activist, allowing him to address events and other activities across the country while he fights attempts to remove him.
The activist, who was released from a Louisiana detention center in the summer after being detained by federal agents amid wider enforcement actions, had petitioned a judicial authority to lift the restrictions that had confined his movement to certain states.
At a remote proceeding, his attorney stated that her client “desires to travel for the very important first amendment concerns that are at the bottom of this matter.”
“He seeks to speak topics of public concern,” the lawyer added, referencing the constitutional right to free speech.
Mahmoud Khalil on detention, freedom and Ice detention: ‘It was a clear act of injustice’
However, the government’s lawyer, who objected to the move, argued that Khalil “has not provided enough of a reason why he couldn’t attend these and other events remotely.”
Magistrate judge Michael Hammer agreed to permit the activist to travel, noting that he was not deemed a risk of fleeing and had not breached any of his bail terms.
The magistrate agreed with the prosecution that the individual is obligated to alert federal authorities about his itinerary.
The activist, who is a lawful green card holder, was arrested by federal officers in early spring following his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia, an Ivy League institution in NY.
The administration asserts it had the power to detain and deport him, claiming that his status in the US is a threat to national security. A further allegation is that he failed to disclose information about his employment background and affiliation in organizations on his application for a green card.
Following his release, Khalil said he intended to continue his criticism of the institution for what supporters consider as its capitulation to government directives to restrict specific expression and respond to threats against students on campus.
