Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil may continue to challenge the legality of his arrest by immigration authorities in New Jersey, rather than in Louisiana where he is being held, a U.S. judge ruled on Tuesday.

The government argued, in vain, that New Jersey never had jurisdiction on the case and that a habeas corpus petition — to release Khalil — could only be targeted at Louisiana detention

The opinion, unless appealed by the government, would clear the way for Judge Michael Fabiarz to decide the more substantive issues of Khalil's continued confinement.