NEW YORK (Diya TV) — A federal appeals court on Tuesday granted a temporary stay that blocks the Trump administration from detaining or deporting pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil while he seeks review from the U.S. Supreme Court.
The decision from the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals marks the latest development in a closely watched immigration and free speech case involving the Columbia University graduate and green card holder. The ruling pauses an earlier court order that denied Khalil a rehearing in his detention case.
Khalil announced the decision in a social media statement shortly after the ruling.
“Some good news,” Khalil wrote. “The appeals court has granted our stay request, preventing my detention or deportation while I seek Supreme Court review. This fight is far from over. More to come this summer!”
The temporary stay means federal authorities cannot detain Khalil while his legal team prepares an appeal to the nation’s highest court. The case has drawn national attention because it centers on immigration enforcement, political speech, and protests tied to the war in Gaza.
The 3rd Circuit’s order gives Khalil temporary protection from immigration enforcement while the legal battle continues. The ruling came after Khalil’s attorneys argued that renewed detention would cause lasting harm to him and his family. Khalil is married to a U.S. citizen and holds lawful permanent resident status, commonly known as a green card. Federal agents arrested him in New York City in March 2025 after the government claimed his public statements and activism threatened U.S. foreign policy interests.
The Trump administration based its case on a determination made by Marco Rubio. Rubio argued that Khalil’s speech and activism could “compromise a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest.” Immigration officials later placed Khalil in ICE custody. A federal judge ordered his release in June after months of legal challenges from civil rights groups and his attorneys. The latest appeals court order now prevents authorities from taking Khalil back into custody while the Supreme Court considers whether it will hear the case.
Attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union welcomed the court’s decision and said the case raises major constitutional questions.
“We’re grateful that the court recognized the irreparable harm Mahmoud would face if he were re-detained before the Supreme Court has a chance to review his case,” said Brett Max Kaufman, senior counsel at the ACLU’s Center for Democracy.
Kaufman also argued that renewed detention would separate Khalil from his family and discourage political expression.
“Detention would serve only to cruelly separate him from his family and further chill his speech,” Kaufman said. “We look forward to asking the Supreme Court to make clear that the government cannot use the threat of detention and deportation to silence dissent.” Supporters of Khalil say the government targeted him because of his outspoken support for Palestinians and his criticism of U.S. foreign policy. Free speech advocates have warned that the case could set an important precedent for lawful permanent residents who participate in political activism.
The legal fight has sparked debate across the United States over immigration powers and First Amendment protections. Protesters and advocacy groups have held demonstrations in support of Khalil since his arrest earlier this year. Critics of the government’s actions argue that immigration officials should not use deportation threats against people based on political speech. Supporters of the administration, however, say the government has broad authority to act when officials believe foreign policy interests are at risk.
Legal experts say the Supreme Court could eventually weigh in on how far the government can go when using immigration law in cases involving political activism and national security concerns.
