Appeals Court Probes Venue in Khalil Case | JQJO

Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder arrested by ICE in March and later released by court order, returned to federal court as Third Circuit judges questioned the government’s bid to shift his habeas case on venue grounds. Khalil accuses the Trump administration of trying to re-detain him through a “kangaroo court,” while his lawyers argue immigration courts can’t resolve First Amendment claims. A lower court has blocked his removal, and a Boston judge last month found the government violated protesters’ rights. The State Department defended efforts to expel “terrorist-supporting aliens.” Khalil says he remains confident.