In a dramatic twist fit for a courtroom thriller, the U.S. Department of Justice informed a federal judge Friday that it will not be releasing Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student, from immigration detention—despite a judicial order demanding his release.

This bold maneuver comes after U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from detaining Khalil under the claim that his presence allegedly threatens U.S. foreign policy interests, as designated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

DOJ Finds a Loophole: “We Don’t Need to Appeal”

Rather than file a formal appeal, federal prosecutors delivered a letter to the court Friday afternoon stating they’ve discovered alternative legal grounds to continue detaining Khalil—grounds that fall outside the scope of the judge’s order.

In the letter, DOJ lawyers argued,

“Detaining Khalil based on that other ground of removal is lawful... An alien like Khalil may be detained during the pendency of removal proceedings regardless of the charge of removability.”

That “other ground”? Prosecutors allege Khalil failed to disclose two key pieces of information on his green card application:

1. His role as a political affairs officer for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, and

2. Ongoing employment with the Syria Office of the British Embassy in Beirut.

These omissions, the DOJ claims, are sufficient grounds to pursue Khalil’s removal from the United States independent of the controversial foreign policy rationale.

High-Powered Legal Teams Clash Over Rights and Risk

Khalil’s legal defense reads like a roll call of America’s top civil rights defenders. His representation includes:

• The Center for Constitutional Rights

• The Immigrant Rights Clinic at NYU School of Law

• Dratel & Lewis

• Van Der Hout LLP

• The Legal Aid Society

• CUNY’s CLEAR Project

• The NYCLU and ACLU Foundations

• Washington Square Legal Services

• ACLU of New Jersey

The federal government, on the other side, is represented by August Flentje and Dhruman Y. Sampat from the DOJ’s Civil Division.

Legal Stakes High in an Era of Political Pressure

Judge Farbiarz had originally given the DOJ a deadline—Friday—to appeal the injunction he granted in favor of Khalil. But instead of walking through the legal front door, the DOJ opted for a side entrance: new accusations with old consequences.

The heart of the case, however, still beats to the rhythm of broader constitutional concerns. Civil liberties groups warn that using vague national security justifications to detain noncitizens can easily become a slippery slope, undermining both due process and international reputation.

Khalil’s legal team is expected to respond swiftly, potentially launching new legal challenges to what they may describe as a backdoor maneuver by federal authorities.

As this case barrels forward, it could set crucial precedent for how far executive power extends when immigration meets geopolitics—and whether a courtroom order still carries enough weight to stand in its way.