Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil's bid to remain in the United States survives after a New Jersey federal judge decided Tuesday he could retain jurisdiction over the case. Khalil claimed he was detained and targeted for deportation because of his speech at pro-Palestinian protests on the Columbia campus and challenged his detention based on the constitutionality of the State Department's finding that his continued presence in the country could have "serious adverse foreign policy consequences" for the United States.

(KALB) - A New Jersey Federal Judge on Tuesday ruled that Mahmoud Khalil can move forward with his lawsuit. The lawful permanent resident and recent Columbia graduate alleged he was unlawfully detained for his political views supporting Palestinian rights. The judge said he would keep jurisdiction over the case in New Jersey federal court.