A New Jersey federal judge on Friday eased travel limits imposed on Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian green card holder and Columbia University graduate student, allowing him to travel freely anywhere within the United States as long as he provides 48 hours’ advance notice to the court.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer granted the motion following a Thursday hearing in Khalil’s case, which challenges his detention and ongoing immigration restrictions. Khalil, who was arrested and placed in removal proceedings by the Trump administration in March, had asked the court to lift the remaining constraints on his movement, calling them unnecessary and burdensome.
Background and Prior Restrictions
Since his release from immigration detention in June, Khalil had been confined to travel only within New York, where he resides, and to Michigan, Louisiana, and New Jersey, primarily to attend court hearings and medical appointments. In his October 14 motion, Khalil argued that the limited travel permissions had curtailed his academic and personal activities.
He noted that Yale Law School students had invited him to participate in a forum, but he was unable to accept due to the geographic restrictions. His motion urged the court to restore his full domestic travel rights, stating:
“Rather than require Mr. Khalil to petition the court each time he seeks to enter a different state, this court could obviate the need for piecemeal modifications entirely by allowing Mr. Khalil to travel freely within the United States, restoring him to the status quo ante preceding his detention.”
Detention and Legal Proceedings
Khalil’s detention earlier this year stemmed from a determination by Secretary of State Marco Rubio—a Trump appointee—that his pro-Palestinian activism constituted a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests. The district court has since blocked the administration from detaining or deporting Khalil under that determination while his immigration case continues.
Friday’s ruling marks a significant easing of restrictions for Khalil, who maintains lawful permanent resident status in the United States and has denied any wrongdoing.
Case Information
The case is Khalil v. Joyce et al., Case No. 2:25-cv-01963, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
