On Thursday, the Columbia graduate's legal team released a two-page undated memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which he said Mr Khalil's presence in the US could jeopardise "US policy to combat antisemitism" around the world and domestically.

The case against pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil will remain in New Jersey after a judge denied a government motion to have the case transferred to Louisiana where the Columbia graduate student remains in federal custody since his arrest last month.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz wrote in a 67-page decision that Khalil’s case, “as filed on March 9 at 4:40am, can go forward in New Jersey because that is where the Pet

A Louisiana immigration judge is set to decide Friday whether to release Palestinian activist and Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil one month after he was arrested by federal agents following a deportation order from the Trump administration.

Khalil's attorneys say the government's case against their client largely rests on a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleging Khalil participated in "antisemitic" and "disruptive activities."

The two-page memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press, does not allege any criminal conduct by the student, a legal permanent U.S. resident and graduate student who served as spokesperson for campus activists last year during large demonstrations against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and the war in Gaza.