A Manhattan federal judge denied the Trump administration’s motion to dismiss Khalil's challenge to his arrest but allowed the case to move to New Jersey.

A federal judge in New York moved the case because the Palestinian graduate student was detained there when his lawyer sought his release.

A federal judge in New York ordered the case of Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil be transferred from New York to New Jersey where his lawyers will continue their legal efforts for his release.

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a lawsuit challenging the deportation of former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil to be moved from a district court in New York to New Jersey, where the antiwar activist was first detained after he was arrested by immigration officers earlier this month.

Judge Jesse Furman denied the Trump administration’s request to throw out Khalil’s case, as the permanent resident—a leader in Columbia University’s pro-Palestinian protests—argues he was unlawfully arrested and detained for voicing pro-Palestinian views.