The ruling is a major victory and relief for Khalil, a legal permanent US resident, who played a leading role in demonstrations at the school’s campus last year.

Khalil isn’t accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia. The international affairs graduate student served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists. He wasn’t among the demonstrators arrested, but his prominence in news coverage and willingness to speak publicly made him a target of critics.

In her order, Judge Beverly Cannone said the Read case continues to draw "daily, divisive attention" and jurors could face "a real and present risk" if their names were released.