Michael E. Farbiarz

Rule Changes

Ruled for Khalil; decision reversed on appeal

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 gave the Secretary of State power to deport noncitizens whose presence threatens U.S. foreign policy. For seven decades, that authority gathered dust. Then, on March 8, 2025, ICE agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil—a Columbia graduate student and green card holder—from his university apartment, invoking the Cold War-era statute to target him for his role negotiating on behalf of pro-Palestinian protesters.

Updated Jan 30