An immigration judge has decided that Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian protest leader at Columbia University, can be deported from the U.S. Judge Jamee Comans, ruling in Louisiana, stated that the U.S. government successfully proved its case for Khalil’s removal. Khalil expressed his disappointment, claiming the court process lacked “due process rights and fundamental fairness.”
Khalil lamented being sent to court far from his family, blaming the Trump administration for his situation. He hopes others in similar circumstances receive the same urgency in their hearings. His attorneys have until April 23 to file applications for relief.
During the hearing, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lawyers discussed Khalil’s alleged misrepresentation on his green card application. They accused him of not being truthful about certain affiliations. Specifically, Khalil allegedly failed to disclose past work with the Syrian office at the British Embassy in Beirut.
DHS officials claimed Khalil was “inadmissible” due to “fraud or willful misrepresentation of material fact” on his residency application. The agency also stated he didn’t disclose involvement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. His membership in Columbia University Apartheid Divest was also cited.
Following the ruling, Khalil’s attorney, Sabrine Mohamah, criticized the decision as “unjust as it is alarming.” She argued it violates the First Amendment and sets a dangerous precedent for free speech. Khalil is currently detained in Louisiana, known for its large immigration detention population.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the case, stating Khalil “hates America.” She emphasized that living in the U.S. is a privilege, not a right. Noem believes anyone advocating violence should not remain in the country.
Judge Comans demanded the federal government present evidence justifying Khalil’s deportation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded with a letter referencing the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. The act allows deportation if a noncitizen’s presence poses foreign policy risks.
Rubio accused Khalil of engaging in “antisemitic protests,” creating a hostile environment for Jewish students. He argued that allowing such protests would harm U.S. foreign policy objectives. Khalil’s attorneys contested the detention, calling it “extraordinary and unprecedented.”
The legal team argued that the Immigration and Nationality Act’s scope could impact free speech on Palestinian rights. They warned of a “chilling effect” on political debate. Many noncitizens now fear potential repercussions for expressing their beliefs.
Khalil’s case marks the first in the Trump administration’s initiative to revoke student visas for protest participation. DHS claimed he led activities linked to Hamas, a recognized terrorist group. Anti-Israel protests surged on campuses after the attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.
Khalil has consistently proclaimed his innocence. In a school newspaper op-ed, he accused Columbia University of complicity. The piece, titled “A letter to Columbia,” alleged the school laid the groundwork for his detention.
He compared the federal government’s actions to the repression he fled in Syria. Khalil argued the logic behind targeting him mirrors Columbia’s stance on Palestine. He condemned the university for fueling hysteria about antisemitism.
Khalil’s arrest by ICE agents in New York City occurred in early March. The situation has drawn significant attention and debate. Fox News Digital has reached out to Khalil’s legal representative and DHS for further comments.
