Fact Check: Federal judge calls Khalil's detention 'highly unusual' and orders his release.

Fact Check: Federal judge calls Khalil's detention 'highly unusual' and orders his release

What We Know

On June 20, 2025, a federal judge in New Jersey ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student, from immigration detention. This decision came after more than three months of Khalil's detention, which was initiated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents due to his activism. Judge Michael Farbiarz described the government's attempt to detain Khalil as "highly unusual" and indicated that there were constitutional concerns regarding the detention, stating, "There is at least something to the underlying claim that there is an effort to use the immigration charge here to punish Mr. Khalil" (Reuters, NPR).

The judge ruled that Khalil was not a flight risk or a danger to the public, which contributed to the decision to grant his release (AP News, BBC). Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was arrested under a rarely used statute that claimed his activism threatened U.S. foreign policy (NPR).

Analysis

The claim that a federal judge labeled Khalil's detention as "highly unusual" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Judge Farbiarz's remarks during the hearing were reported consistently across various outlets, including Reuters, NPR, and AP News. These reports indicate that the judge expressed significant concern over the constitutional implications of Khalil's detention, emphasizing the unusual nature of the government's actions.

The sources reporting on this event are reputable, including major news organizations like Reuters, NPR, and the Associated Press, which are known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking practices. The consistency of the reports across these outlets adds to their credibility. Additionally, the context provided by these articles highlights the broader implications of Khalil's case, particularly regarding the intersection of immigration policy and freedom of speech.

However, it is important to note that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to the ruling by asserting that the decision to detain Khalil was within the government's constitutional and statutory authority. This indicates that there is a contentious legal debate surrounding the case, which could affect future interpretations of similar situations (NPR).

Conclusion

The claim that a federal judge called Khalil's detention "highly unusual" and ordered his release is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Judge Farbiarz expressed significant concern over the legality of Khalil's detention and ruled in favor of his release based on constitutional grounds. The case highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and civil liberties, particularly in the context of political activism.

Fact Check: Federal judge calls Khalil's detention 'highly unusual' and orders his release.