Newark, May 1 (RHC)-- A New Jersey federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration’s attempts to dismiss a federal lawsuit brought by jailed Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, arguing the U.S. government is illegally detaining him for his political views. 

The court rejected Trump’s attempts to shut down the case before even granting Khalil a hearing.  Judge Michael Farbiarz previously found his court could retain jurisdiction over Khalil’s federal case, which could potentially impact other similar cases as Trump’s State Department seeks to deport other international students and recent graduates over their support of Palestinian rights.

In related news, a federal appeals court has temporarily paused the transfer of Tufts University international student Rümeysa Öztürk from an ICE detention center in Louisiana to Vermont.  Arguments on that case are scheduled for next week.

[ SOURCE: DEMOCRACY NOW ]