An immigration judge in the United States has ordered the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, to either Algeria or Syria. The judge, Jamee Comans from Louisiana, concluded that Khalil had “willfully misrepresented material fact(s)” on his green card application, aimed at bypassing the immigration process.
Khalil, a permanent resident of Palestinian descent and a notable figure during the 2024 Gaza war protests at Columbia University, has publicly stated that he believes the government is retaliating against him for exercising his right to free speech. His legal representatives have announced plans to appeal the judge’s ruling, noting that federal court orders currently prevent his deportation or detention.
In March, Khalil was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration targeting universities it claims have not adequately addressed antisemitism. He spent three months in an immigration facility before a federal judge deemed him neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community, leading to his release on June 20. During his detention, his wife, a U.S. citizen, gave birth to their son.
The government has accused Khalil of failing to disclose details about his previous affiliations on immigration forms, including involvement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and “continuing employment” with the British Embassy in Beirut. Khalil has characterized these allegations as unfounded attempts to silence him for his activism regarding Palestine.
In June, his lawyers filed a $20 million lawsuit alleging false imprisonment and malicious prosecution, asserting that he was wrongfully labeled an antisemite. President Trump has made statements suggesting that pro-Palestinian activists, including Khalil, support Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., and has called for the deportation of such protesters. Khalil’s involvement in Columbia University’s protests also led to claims from pro-Israel activists that he played a leadership role in a student group advocating for divestment from ties to Israel, a claim he disputes, stating he acted primarily as a mediator and spokesperson.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj9zv8xnml8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss