On January 12, 2026, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a lower court judge did not possess the authority to order the release of Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel activist, thereby supporting the Trump administration's position in a significant immigration case. The court's 2-1 decision stated that U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey lacked 'subject-matter jurisdiction' under federal immigration law to intervene in the administration's efforts to remove Khalil.

Khalil was arrested in early March at his New York City apartment by agents from Homeland Security Investigations. He was ordered to be released from detention on June 20. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson asserted that Khalil obtained his student visa through fraud and misrepresentation, emphasizing the Executive Branch's authority to act in the interest of public safety and the integrity of the immigration system.

Judges Thomas Hardiman and Stephanos Bibas, both appointed by Republican presidents, noted that while the district court initially had jurisdiction over Khalil’s habeas petition, it ultimately lacked the authority to intervene in his removal proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The majority opinion highlighted that the immigration framework established by Congress provides Khalil with a mechanism to raise his claims in a petition for review of a final order of removal.

The American Civil Liberties Union expressed disappointment with the ruling but noted that it does not take effect immediately, allowing Khalil the opportunity to seek immediate review. Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and former Columbia University graduate student, has expressed his determination to continue fighting for his rights and those of others in similar situations.

In a separate incident on January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot and killed after her vehicle accelerated toward an ICE agent in Minneapolis, resulting in the agent sustaining internal injuries. Video evidence captured the incident, showing the vehicle making contact with the agent. Following the event, there was significant media coverage, with some narratives suggesting that Good was unjustly killed by ICE. In a White House briefing, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt criticized these claims, asserting that the agent acted in self-defense and calling for accurate reporting on such incidents. This incident has sparked discussions about the role of law enforcement agencies like ICE and the narratives surrounding their actions, particularly in the context of community safety and the treatment of individuals involved in immigration enforcement.