In a stunning legal development, a federal judge appointed by President Biden has ordered the immediate release of Khalil, a college protestor detained for over three months under the Trump administration’s controversial immigration policies. District Judge Micer Farbiars, presiding in New Jersey, deemed Khalil neither a flight risk nor a danger to society, sharply criticizing the government’s decision to keep him in custody as “highly unusual.” The ruling, delivered on Friday, allows Khalil to return to New York to reunite with his wife and new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥.

Khalil, who holds a green card and was instrumental in organizing pro-Palestinian protests, faced deportation efforts from the previous administration, which argued that his presence posed a risk to national security. However, the judge’s ruling emphasized that Khalil had not been charged with any crime and rebuked the government’s attempts to invoke rarely used immigration laws to justify his detention.

The decision marks a significant setback for the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on immigration, particularly targeting foreign nationals involved in activism. Judge Farbiars underscored the chilling effect of such detentions on free speech, stating that the First Amendment protections apply universally, even to non-citizens.

As the clock ticks toward midnight, Khalil’s release is imminent, igniting discussions around the implications for immigration policy and the rights of protestors in America. This ruling not only highlights the ongoing legal battles over immigration but also raises questions about the government’s approach to dissent and activism on college campuses. The urgency of this situation resonates across the nation as advocates for civil liberties celebrate a significant victory in the fight for justice and free expression.