A US immigration judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestine activist, can be deported.
The case, which has sparked debates over free speech and the suppression of activism, involves allegations of his involvement in campus protests. Khalil’s legal team plans to appeal the decision.
A US immigration judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old Columbia University graduate student, can be deported for his participation in pro-Palestine protests.
The ruling came after a nearly two-hour hearing in Louisiana on Friday, where Judge Jamee Comans determined that the US government had proven by “clear and convincing evidence” that Khalil should be removed from the country. Khalil, a permanent resident, is accused of being involved in protests against Columbia University’s ties to the Israeli military amid last year’s Gaza conflict.
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The decision to pursue Khalil’s deportation has sparked outrage among his supporters and human rights activists, who view the case as a violation of free speech and an attempt to suppress pro-Palestine activism under the guise of fighting anti-Semitism.
Khalil’s lawyers argue that the deportation case is a direct attack on political expression, with one lawyer calling the process a “charade of due process.”
The Trump administration is using a rarely invoked provision of immigration law that allows the Secretary of State to revoke an immigrant’s legal status if their actions are deemed to have “adverse foreign policy consequences.” While no criminal charges have been filed against Khalil, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a letter that Khalil’s actions contributed to a “hostile environment for Jewish students.”
Khalil’s supporters maintain that his protests were peaceful and aimed at criticizing Israel’s military actions. The case raises significant concerns about the suppression of free speech and the rights of non-citizens to express their political views.
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Khalil has been detained by immigration authorities since March 8 and is currently being held without clear communication with his family or legal team.
His case is expected to continue as his legal team plans to appeal the ruling, with supporters rallying around the fight for due process and the protection of free expression in the United States.
