Federal Courts Ordering Release of Palestinians From Immigration Detention

Since April, judges across multiple federal circuits have freed at least four Palestinians and pro-Palestinian activists from ICE custody. The detainees—including Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil (held 104 days) and mosque president Salah Sarsour (three months)—were released after legal challenges. Courts invoked habeas corpus and bail-hearing rules, yet no appellate decision has clarified whether the government may detain noncitizens for protected political speech.