In a significant turn of events, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has delivered a major win for the Trump administration in its ongoing effort to detain and deport Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student.
On Thursday, a three-judge panel in Philadelphia overturned a lower court decision that had previously secured Khalil’s release from immigration detention.
The 30-year-old Palestinian activist has been battling deportation since his arrest by ICE agents at his apartment in March last year.
After being held in a Louisiana facility, a federal judge in New Jersey ordered his release in June 2025, citing potential unconstitutional actions by the government, only for the appeals court to rule that the lower court lacked jurisdiction, Townhall reports.
The appeals court’s 2-1 decision instructed the New Jersey federal district court to dismiss Khalil’s habeas petition, stating that immigration law requires deportation challenges to follow a specific process through a petition for review in a federal appeals court.
This ruling moves the government one step closer to detaining Khalil again and potentially removing him from the country. According to CNN, the panel determined the lower court overstepped its authority in granting relief.
The issue has sparked intense debate over the balance between individual rights and the enforcement of immigration laws.
While Khalil’s supporters argue his detention raises serious constitutional questions, the appeals court’s decision underscores the strict procedural boundaries set by federal law.
Let’s be clear: immigration policy isn’t a free-for-all where judges can rewrite the rules on a whim. The panel’s ruling sends a strong message that there’s a proper channel for these challenges, and bypassing it undermines the system. It’s a win for order over activist overreach in the judiciary.
The court wrote, “That scheme ensures that petitioners get just one bite at the apple—not zero or two.” Nice metaphor, but let’s unpack it: the law isn’t here to give endless do-overs, even if the wait for relief feels unfair to some. Patience isn’t a punishment; it’s a requirement.
The panel further noted that the law bars Khalil “from attacking his detention and removal in a habeas petition.” That’s a tough pill to swallow for his defenders, but it’s hard to argue with the logic—immigration law isn’t a suggestion, it’s a framework. Bending it for one case risks unraveling the whole structure.
Khalil’s journey through the legal system started with his arrest last year, a moment that thrust him into the national spotlight as a symbol for broader immigration disputes. Held in Louisiana, his case seemed to turn when a New Jersey judge stepped in, only for the appeals court to slam the brakes. It’s a rollercoaster, but one guided by legal guardrails, not emotional appeals.
Now, with the habeas petition dismissed, the government has a clearer path to enforce its policies. Critics of unchecked immigration enforcement might cry foul, but rules exist for a reason. Ignoring them doesn’t fix the system; it fractures it.
Stepping back, this case isn’t just about one man—it’s about who gets to define the boundaries of immigration enforcement. The Third Circuit’s decision reinforces that Congress, not individual judges, sets the playbook. That’s a principle worth defending, even if the outcome stings for Khalil’s supporters.
Some might argue this ruling delays justice for those caught in the system’s gears. But justice isn’t about speed; it’s about precision. Rushing to bypass legal processes often creates more problems than it solves.
Look at the bigger picture: a system where every detention can be challenged outside the designated process would grind to a halt. The appeals court isn’t denying Khalil a chance to fight; it’s telling him where to stand in line. That’s not cruelty—it’s clarity.
