Judge blocks Trump immigration policy allowing arrests in churches for some religious groups

“No matter what happens in court, what’s most important is for all of us to keep up the pressure," said Ramzi Kassem, one of Khalil's lawyers, after the hearing.

Khalil, 30, a legal U.S. resident with no criminal record, was detained by federal immigration agents March 8 for participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

The flashpoint for the latest controversy was deportations of alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador, which is being paid by the U.S. to imprison them.