Federal Judge Orders Bail Release of Columbia Activist Mahmoud Khalil

A federal judge ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, from immigration custody after ruling his detention was likely unconstitutional and an attempt to punish his activism. Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was arrested over three months ago and is the last noncitizen student detained among several targeted during the Trump administration's crackdown. The judge denied the government's request to delay his release and imposed conditions such as surrendering his Algerian passport while his deportation case continues.