Mahmoud Khalil speaks at Columbia protest. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Gettyimages).
NEW YORK — A United States immigration judge has ruled that Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil may be deported under a Cold War-era statute invoked by the Trump administration, citing alleged threats to US foreign policy stemming from his advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Khalil, a 30-year-old legal US resident originally from Lebanon, was arrested last month following his involvement in protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Despite facing no criminal charges, Khalil has remained in federal detention in Louisiana since March 8.
In court filings, the government relied on a rarely used 1952 immigration law which permits the deportation of non-citizens deemed “adverse” to American foreign policy. The court concluded the application of this law to Khalil’s case was “facially reasonable.”
Mahmoud Khalil Deportation Moves Forward Under Trump-Era Policy
Though the ruling allows the government to proceed with deportation, the judge has granted Khalil’s legal team until April 23 to file an appeal. The activist has also lodged a separate constitutional challenge in federal court in New Jersey, which his attorneys hope could suspend or overturn the deportation order.
Speaking after the ruling, Khalil criticized the proceedings. “Due process and fairness were absent throughout this case,” he told the court. “This is why the administration brought me 1,000 miles from my family.”
Mahmoud Khalil Claims Arrest Was Punishment for Free Speech
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing Khalil, called the ruling “pre-written,” arguing the government failed to present substantial evidence.
The evidence reportedly consisted of a letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which stated Khalil had not broken the law but posed a foreign policy concern due to his public speech supporting Palestinian rights.
Rubio and other officials argued Khalil’s deportation was also meant to “protect Jewish students from harassment,” even while admitting his activism was lawful.
Mahmoud Khalil’s Lawsuit Could Block Final Deportation
Khalil’s legal team has initiated a federal case in New Jersey, asserting that his arrest and detention violated constitutional rights. His attorneys argue the case is an attempt to silence a legal resident for engaging in protected political speech.
Separately, the Trump administration has accused Khalil of immigration fraud, claiming he failed to disclose prior work with the British embassy in Beirut and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. No evidence to support this claim was submitted during court hearings.
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Khalil’s Family Faces Separation as Wife Nears Labor
Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdallah, is currently nine months pregnant and may give birth without him by her side. Civil rights advocates warn that the deportation could set a dangerous precedent for targeting lawful residents based on speech alone.
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