President Donald Trump and his administration got a legal victory last week in the case of Mahmoud Khalil.

Newsweek reports that a judge refused to order the release of the Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist from the federal government's custody.

The judge, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz, essentially told Khalil that he's going to have to look for help elsewhere if he wants to get released.

BREAKING: Judge sides with the Trump administration's argument — DENIES Mahmoud Khalil release from ICE detention.

Story to come. https://t.co/CDMT8q11MU

— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) June 13, 2025

Background

Khalil was arrested by the federal government in March.

The New York Post reported:

The Columbia University graduate was taken into custody on March 8 after an immigration officer believed the former campus protester and legal permanent resident was a “flight risk,” according to papers filed Thursday by the Department of Justice in a bid to keep Khalil in custody.

This has led to a big legal fight, while the 30-year-old Khalil remains in custody at a detention facility in Louisiana. He is facing the possibility of being deported, depending on how the legal battle plays out.

Khalil's legal team has been fighting for the student's release, and it appears to have some success. Newsweek reports:

Earlier this week, Farbiarz issued a ruling that said Khalil could not be detained or deported based solely on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's determination that his work as a pro-Palestinian activist went against U.S. foreign policy. He gave the government until 9:30 a.m. CT on Friday to respond.

The government did respond, arguing that it is justified in keeping Khalil in custody.

The latest

In a two-page order, Judge Farbiarz said that he will not grant Khalil's request to be released from custody. In other words, he has essentially agreed with the Trump administration's argument.

Newsweek reports the Trump administration as writing:

The Court did not order Respondents to release Petitioner Mahmoud Khalil. The Court instead enjoined Respondents from detaining Khalil based on the Secretary of State's determination. That injunction does not interfere with Respondents' authority to detain Khalil on other grounds, including the removal charge...as an alien inadmissible at the time of entry or admission...

Newsweek goes on to add, "It went on to say that Khalil can be detained because he allegedly committed 'fraud or material misrepresentation' in connection with his green card application, adding, 'Given that ability to detain Khalil on other grounds, Respondents have not sought an immediate stay of this Court's preliminary injunction.'"

Farbiarz agreed.

He told Khalil that "administrative processes are the proper avenues . . . to seek release."