Trump described Halil as a “radical foreign student in favor of Hamas” – there are no clear and convincing evidence, his lawyers say
A legal dispute for a prisoner of Columbia University who has become an ignition of the Trump government’s immigration policy will be held in the federal court, with the US government declaring Tuesday that it will oppose the release of the Palestinian.
US Regional Judge Jessie Fourman In Manhattan temporarily prevented the beginnings Monday than to deport the Mahmoud Halil29 years old, and set a hearing for Wednesday.
The lawyers of the government plan will argue that Fourman has no power to resolve the case and if it is decided that the judge has such power afterwards he will examine the essence of Halil’s arguments, according to a deposition submitted on Tuesday night by Halil’s lawyers.
Migration Courts chart the line between protected freedom of speech and supposed support to groups that the United States calls terroristsas US President Donald Trump seeks to fulfill his promise to deport some foreign students who participate in the Filmistine protest movement.
While Trump claimed on social media that Halil supported Hamas, his government did not accuse Halil of crime and did not provide evidence to show Palestinian’s supposed support in the fighter team.
Halil was a prominent activist in Columbia, who met some of the biggest protests against Israel’s military attack on Gaza that followed Hamas attack in October 2023. Washington has characterized Hamas ‘Foreign terrorist organization’.
Hamas’ attack killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli reports, and Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
THE Trump characterized Halil on social media on Monday as ‘Radical foreign student in favor of Hamas’ And he said that more arrests would follow.
White House Representative Caroline Levitt He accused Halil on Tuesday that ‘Write with the terrorists’ and said that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Rubio He had the right to recall the status of permanent residence for foreign foreign policy and national security opponents.
“This government is not going to tolerate people who have the privilege of studying in our country and then sympathize with philosopher organizations.”Levit told reporters.
Also said that leaflets with Hamas logo were distributed to ‘Group demonstrations’but did not present information on Halil’s participation.
In court documents, Halil’s lawyers described him as ‘Mediator and negotiator’ And they said that the defense in favor of the Palestinians is protected under the first amendment of the US Constitution.
Columbia’s administration said Halil was one of the main negotiators with the school on behalf of demonstrators on their demands to end the $ 14.8 billion dollar donation investments in Columbia manufacturers and other companies supported by Israel.
Demonstrations in Manhattan and elsewhere
Halil’s lawyers argued that his arrest on Saturday by agents of the Ministry of Home Affairs outside of Student Homes in Columbia was illegal.
If the US judge Jessie Fourman has the power to order the liberation of Mahmoud Haliland finds that his rights are being violated, the deportation procedures could, however, continue in a separate immigration court, he said. Daniel Cunshprofessor at Boston College Law School.
Demonstrators on the streets of New York, Democratic legislators and the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Occupied Palestinian territories condemned arrest.
“This illegal abuse of power and political repression are a threat to all Americans”wrote 14 democratic members of Congress, including Palestinian American MPs Rasidain a letter on Tuesday to the Minister of Home Affairs Christie Noem.
A multitude of some hundreds of people shouted ‘Free Palestine’ and slogans against the police in a demonstration in Kato Manhattan. At least six protesters were arrested when police asked them to leave, a witness told Reuters.
The protesters also gathered in campuses all over Manhattan.
“The arrest (of Halil) is a very, very worrying escalation in an already alarming attack on political freedoms”, told Reuters the Danny KatsEnglish Professor at City College, New York at a demonstration on campus in Manhattan.
Holder of a ‘green’ card
Halil, a Palestinian who grew up in Syria, arrived in the United States with a student visa in 2022, his lawyers said. He completed his master’s degree in Public Administration at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs in December and is going to graduate in May, his lawyers said.
He became a legal resident of the US with a green card last year, according to his lawyers. Its legal status provides the protection of the US Constitution, including freedom of speech based on the first amendment.
The US Foreign Minister, Mark Rubio wrote to x on Sunday that Government will recall visas and green cards of those who support Hamasin order to be deported by the United States.
Legal experts say the government should prove to a migration judge that Halil should be deported with clear, convincing and undoubtedly elements – Higher level than many civil affairs but lower than the standard required to condemn a crime.
It will be up to an immigration judge – not in Fourman – to determine whether Halil had been involved in an activity that would justify his removal from the United States, he said the Kevin JohnsonDean of the University of California, at the Davis Law School.
Halil would have the right to appeal In an unfavorable decision and the case can take years.
Source :Skai
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