A US magistrate has lifted travel restrictions within the US for Mahmoud Khalil, permitting him to address rallies and other engagements across the nation while he fights efforts to remove him.
The activist, who was released from a Louisiana immigration jail in June after being arrested by federal agents amid student and activist roundups, had petitioned a judicial authority to lift the limitations that had confined his movement to certain locations.
At a remote hearing, his legal representative stated that her the activist “wants to move for the very important free speech concerns that are at the bottom of this matter.”
“He seeks to speak issues of public interest,” the lawyer added, referencing the constitutional right to free expression.
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However, the federal attorney, who objected to the request, stated that the respondent “has not offered enough of a reason why he couldn’t attend these and other events remotely.”
Magistrate judge Michael Hammer consented to permit Khalil to travel, stating that he was not deemed a risk of fleeing and had not breached any of his release conditions.
The magistrate agreed with the government that the individual is required to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement about his travel plans.
The activist, who is a legal US permanent resident, was arrested by immigration agents in early spring following his participation in activist demonstrations at the university, an prestigious school in NY.
The administration claims it had the authority to detain and deport Khalil, claiming that his status in the United States is a threat to public safety. A second allegation is that he omitted details about his employment background and affiliation in organizations on his petition for a permanent residency.
Following his freedom, Khalil said he planned to continue his condemnation of the university for what supporters consider as its acquiescence to government demands to restrict certain expression and respond to threats against students on university grounds.
