Louisiana
Prosecutors seek to move Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation case to Louisiana
Federal prosecutors are pushing to move the New York-based Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation challenge to Louisiana, in a move his lawyers describe as an attempt to silence political dissent.
The government filed documents requesting that Judge Jesse Furman either dismiss Khalil’s habeas petition outright or transfer it to the western district of Louisiana, where pro-Republican cases are almost guaranteed to reach Trump-appointed judges.
The administration’s lawyers argue that New York courts have no authority to hear his case under strict jurisdictional rules.
“The Court should either dismiss or transfer this action because this Court lacks jurisdiction and is not the proper forum for this habeas action,” prosecutors wrote in the filing, adding that “jurisdiction lies in only one district: the district of confinement.”
Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and permanent US resident, helped lead campus protests at the school last year before being detained on Saturday night at his university-owned New York apartment in front of his wife Noor Abdalla, who is eight months pregnant and a US citizen. He was transferred to an Ice facility in New Jersey before being flown out to Louisiana, before any of his family knew where he was held.
Furman has temporarily blocked Khalil’s deportation but must decide whether the case should remain in Manhattan, move to New Jersey where Khalil was initially held, or transfer to Louisiana where he is currently detained.
His legal team, which includes representatives from the Center for Constitutional Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union and Cuny’s Clear legal clinic, contends the government is retaliating against Khalil for his role as a lead negotiator during pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University last year.
“The government is relying on a rarely used provision in immigration law,” said Ramzi Kassem, a member of Khalil’s legal team, outside the courthouse after Wednesday’s hearing. “It is certainly not intended by Congress to be used to silence dissent.”
This move comes as reports emerge of a new state department program called “Catch and Revoke” that will deploy AI systems to scan news coverage and social media accounts of approximately 100,000 foreign students in America to identify those with pro-Palestinian views for potential deportation. According to Axios, the program will analyze content dating back to 7 October 2023.
According to his notice to appear – the first step in the deportation process – the state department’s rationale has been that Khalil’s continued presence would be detrimental to US foreign policy to combat antisemitism, as the administration views all pro-Palestinian campus protests as antisemitic.
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“The secretary of state has determined that your presence or activities in the United States would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States,” the form reads.
Khalil, notably, refused to sign the document.
Donald Trump has also warned his arrest would be the first of “many to come”, reinforcing the idea that he would revoke visas of international students participating in pro-Palestine protests.
Abdalla revealed to Reuters that just two days before his detention, Khalil had asked her if she knew what to do if immigration agents came to their door.
“I didn’t take him seriously. Clearly I was naive,” she said.
Some legal experts note that the government cannot justify deportation based solely on political expression. Bill Hing, a professor of law and migration at University of San Francisco, told the Guardian the government must demonstrate “by clear and convincing evidence” that Khalil’s presence has serious adverse foreign policy consequences.
“If he has done nothing more than decry the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, or accuse Israel of genocide, and demand ceasefire, is that adverse to US foreign policy?” Hing said. “I don’t think so. I think that is protected free speech.”
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – The Venture Global CP2 construction site in Cameron has been cleared after a bomb threat was made Sunday, according to a spokesperson from Venture Global.
The bomb threat came in around noon on Sunday, according to officials. Louisiana State Police hazmat and bomb squads were called to investigate.
No shelter in place was deemed necessary and no roads were closed, according to the Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office.
A Venture Global spokesperson released the following statement:
“Venture Global was made aware of a bomb threat at our CP2 site and immediately activated our established emergency response protocols. We are coordinating closely with state and local authorities as they investigate. The safety and security of our employees and the surrounding community remain our highest priority.”
Copyright 2026 KPLC. All rights reserved.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — For the fifth consecutive year, the Louisiana Children’s Museum hosted its annual environmental festival, Mud Fest, on Saturday, March 28.
From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., parents and their little ones had the opportunity to have fun in the sun and enjoy the “highlight” of the museum’s spring season.
This event was inspired by the iconic New Orleans festival culture which includes good food, live music and a nice, high-energy atmosphere. Mud Fest is tailored for the “youngest environmental stewards” to have fun and make all the mess they want with mud.
Due to the Crescent City being surrounded by wetland habitats, we interact with water daily in both our rural and urban communities.
The festival generates positive associations with our region and also builds critical thinking skills for future educators, engineers, fishermen and farmers. According to LCM, engaging with nature, water and plants “builds a child’s confidence and fosters a lifelong connection to the Earth.”
“As the Louisiana Children’s Museum celebrates its 40th anniversary, events like Mud Fest reflect our long-standing commitment to hands-on learning that sparks curiosity and connects children to the world around them,” LCM CEO Tifferney White said.
This year, Mud Fest had performances from young musicians of the School of Rock, the Louisiana Sunspots and more. There were also a storytelling stage and various family-friendly activities for visitors to engage in.
Mud Fest partnered with Pontchartrain Conservancy, STEM NOL, Whimscapes and Sugar Roots to put on the event.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
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Lana Del Rey has enjoyed a low-key life with her gator tour guide husband Jeremy Dufrene in Louisiana and the talented singer recently gave an intimate peek into their relationship.
The 40-year-old Young And Beautiful hitmaker (born Elizabeth Grant) took to her Instagram to post a gallery celebrating the swamp guide’s 51st birthday.
The couple looked just as in love as ever following their wedding in September 2024.
Del Rey shared several recent videos from their modest life together including a cute selfie of the couple by the ocean while she let her natural beauty show by going make-up free.
She also posted a cute video of Dufrene loading up the truck with plants they had just purchased from Home Depot and when he realizes he is being filmed, the Louisiana native flashed a big smile and proudly posed with a Jack-o’-lantern pot.
Del Rey also shared a snap of her hand gripping his wrist as her massive engagement ring could be seen in full view.
Lana Del Rey has enjoyed a low-key life with her gator tour guide husband Jeremy Dufrene in Louisiana and the talented singer recently gave an intimate peek into their relationship as she shared a tribute to him on his 51st birthday
Another snap showed Del Rey wearing one of Dufrene’s tour guide shirts featuring his name embroidered above the pocket.
Weeks ago the musical artist gave what appeared to be a glimpse into her married life in her new video.
Del Rey’s Insta Stories video opened with footage from the 1933 Betty Boop cartoon Snow-White, though it focused on a section starring the character Koko the Clown as he’s turned into a ghost.
Then the video abruptly cut to shaky handheld footage of Del Rey dancing with an ecstatic smile plastered on her face.
The two have kept a relatively low profile since their wedding day but did make a notable appearance last month at the pre-New York Fashion Week Ralph Lauren show on February 10.
The happy couple even stopped for a romantic kiss as they walked the red carpet for the iconic designer.
The couple first met in 2019 during one of Dufrene’s swamp excursions and reconnected years later, before tying the knot in September 2024.
In August, Del Rey revealed how she fell for her husband, a Louisiana bayou tour guide who spends his days surrounded by alligators.
Join the debate
What do you think Lana Del Rey’s choice to marry a swamp guide says about fame and real love?
She posted a cute video of Dufrene loading up the truck with plants they had just purchased from Home Depot and when he realizes he is being filmed, the Louisiana native flashed a big smile and proudly posed with a Jack-o’-lantern pot
Del Rey also shared a snap of her hand gripping his wrist as her massive engagement ring could be seen in full view
Another snap showed Del Rey wearing one of Dufrene’s tour guide shirts featuring his name embroidered above the pocket
Del Rey also posted a video of the cover of their wedding album
‘Like many people who work with large, dangerous beasts, Jeremy has a calm, strong presence,’ Del Rey told W magazine.
‘When we met, I realized pretty immediately that I loved him, but that it might get difficult because of what I was bringing to the table,’ she continued.
Del Rey added that Dufrene reassured her from the start: ‘I work with alligators — I have tough skin.’
And true to his word, he listened through all the drama: ‘All the things that made me upset — and there were so many! — he would just listen and say, “You be you — and I’ll just love you more.”’
Weeks ago the musical artist gave what appeared to be a glimpse into her married life and her new video
The two have kept a relatively low profile since their wedding day but did make a notable appearance last month at the pre-New York Fashion Week Ralph Lauren show on February 10
The happy couple stopped for a romantic kiss as they walked the red carpet for the iconic designer
The couple first met in 2019 during one of Dufrene’s swamp excursions and reconnected years later, before tying the knot in September 2024
Tying the knot in 2024 didn’t make the spotlight any gentler.
Del Rey recalled the intense scrutiny they faced, with drones reportedly hovering over their home to snap photos of their wedding and early days as newlyweds.
‘If I was him, I would have been nervous — my emotions were more overwhelming than usual, and my usual emotions can be quite overwhelming!’ she said with a laugh. ‘But Jeremy was fine. He told me, “Don’t worry about me.”’
And when it comes to music inspired by love, fans have already heard a peek. ‘Stars Fell on Alabama. I open my show with that song — that’s it, so far,’ she revealed.
‘Jeremy is the most impactful person in my life. He’s quiet in public, but around me he talks all the time.’
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