ACLU Supporter, a Louisiana immigration judge just determined that Mahmoud Khalil is removable from the U.S. – based solely on his political speech.

This does not mean he's being deported immediately – we are continuing to fight for his freedom in federal court.

But let's be clear: Mahmoud Khalil should never have been detained in the first place.

It is a shameful mark on our country that the Trump administration is weaponizing ICE to punish people for lawful speech. Mr. Khalil's detention – and the detentions of Rümeysa Öztürk, Badar Khan Suri, and others – flies in the face of every value this country claims to stand for.

We'll continue fighting to free those who have been targeted by the Trump administration in retaliation for their speech – including Mahmoud Khalil.

Immigrants have the right to speak out about what is happening in Gaza, in the world around us, and in the national discourse without fear of deportation. The First Amendment protects us all, and we'll always fight to defend that.

Thanks for being by our side in this critical moment,

The ACLU Team