A federal judge said on Wednesday that the Trump administration cannot deport or continue to detain Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist who was arrested by immigration officers in March.
But Judge Michael Farbiarz put a pause on his injunction until the morning of 13 June to give the federal government time to appeal. Khalil will be detained at least until that point.
In his written decision, Judge Farbiarz said there was no compelling interest to keep Khalil in custody or to deport the 30-year-old, who is a lawful permanent resident.
Since he was arrested at his home in New Jersey, Mr Khalil has been held at a detention centre in Louisiana.
He was taken into custody as part of President Donald Trump's wider crackdown on international students who protested the Israel-Gaza war.
