A New York federal judge transferred Khalil’s petition to New Jersey, where the court will determine whether to order Khalil’s release from an ICE detention center in Louisiana. The government previously argued that the New York court didn’t have jurisdiction over Khalil’s case.

The decision offers a venue compromise in the bellwether case, while Khalil's legal team seeks to release him from detention and block his deportation.

The Trump administration has sought to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, though he is a legal permanent resident and has not been charged with a crime.