US Judge Lifts Travel Limitations for Activist Mahmoud Khalil, Allowing Free Movement Across the US
A US judge has eased travel restrictions within the US for the Palestinian activist, permitting him to address events and other activities across the nation while he contests efforts to remove him.
Khalil, who was freed from a US immigration jail in the summer after being detained by federal agents amid wider enforcement actions, had petitioned a judicial authority to lift the limitations that had limited his travel to specific states.
At a remote proceeding, his attorney stated that her the activist “desires to move for the very significant free speech reasons that are at the heart of this case.”
“He seeks to address topics of public concern,” the attorney added, referencing the legal protection to free expression.
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However, the federal attorney, who opposed the move, stated that the respondent “has not provided enough of a justification why he couldn’t attend these and other activities telephonically.”
Magistrate judge the presiding official agreed to allow the activist to move freely, noting that he was not considered a flight risk and had not violated any of his bail terms.
The magistrate concurred with the government that the individual is required to notify federal authorities about his itinerary.
The activist, who is a legal green card holder, was detained by federal officers in March following his participation in activist protests at the university, an Ivy League school in New York.
The administration asserts it had the authority to detain and remove him, arguing that his presence in the United States is a threat to national security. A second claim is that he failed to disclose details about his employment background and membership in organizations on his petition for a permanent residency.
Following his freedom, Khalil said he planned to persist in his condemnation of the university for what supporters view as its capitulation to government directives to restrict specific expression and respond to threats against students on campus.
