On January 12, 2026, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey lacked the authority to order the release of Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel activist, siding with the Trump administration in a significant immigration case. The court's 2-1 decision stated that while the district court initially had jurisdiction over Khalil’s habeas petition, it ultimately did not have the authority to intervene in his removal proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Khalil was arrested in March 2025 by agents from Homeland Security Investigations and was ordered to be released from detention in June 2025. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson claimed that Khalil had obtained his student visa through fraud and misrepresentation, asserting that the Executive Branch has the 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, emphasized that the immigration framework established by Congress provides Khalil with a venue to contest his removal in a petition for review.

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 stated his commitment to continue advocating for his rights and those of others in similar situations.

In a separate incident on January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed after her vehicle accelerated toward an ICE agent in Minneapolis, leading to the agent sustaining internal injuries. Video evidence captured the moment of contact between the vehicle and the agent. Following the incident, there was a notable media response, with some narratives suggesting that Good was unjustly killed by ICE. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended the agent's actions as self-defense and called for accurate media reporting on immigration enforcement and its implications for public safety. This incident has sparked renewed discussions about the role of law enforcement agencies like ICE and the narratives surrounding their actions, particularly regarding community safety and the treatment of individuals involved in immigration enforcement.