Judge Denies US Government’s Bid to Toss Case Over Columbia Student’s Arrest

The judge did agree to transfer the case.

Mahmoud Khalil at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the Columbia University campus in New York City on April 29, 2024. Ted Shaffrey/AP Photo

A federal judge on March 19 denied the U.S. government’s request to throw out a case concerning the arrest of a Columbia University student from Syria.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman wrote in a 33-page order that he was transferring the case brought by student Mahmoud Khalil to another jurisdiction, rather than dismissing it.