Mahmoud Khalil deportation: US judge orders removal to Syria

Mahmoud Khalil deportation ordered by US judge over green card issues; pro-Palestine activist may face removal to Syria or Algeria.

US Judge Rules Against Pro-Palestine Activist

A U.S. immigration judge has ordered Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestine activist and Columbia University graduate, to be deported to Syria or Algeria. The judge claimed Khalil withheld key information on his green card application.

Khalil gained attention for leading protests at Columbia University against Israel’s Gaza war.

Allegations of Withholding Key Information

Court documents released by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) revealed that Louisiana immigration Judge Jamee Comans accused Khalil of hiding his involvement with UNRWA and Columbia University Apartheid Divest. The latter advocates boycotts of Israel.

Judge Comans said:

“Respondent willfully misrepresented material facts to bypass the immigration process and lower the chance of denial.”

Khalil Fears for His Safety

Khalil, a Syrian-born Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent, has warned that deportation could put him at risk. He fears targeting by Israeli authorities due to his activism.

Legal Team Plans Appeal

Khalil’s lawyers plan to appeal the deportation order. They have 30 days from September 12 to file with the Board of Immigration Appeals. However, appeals for stays of removal are rarely granted.

Earlier this year, a federal judge blocked his deportation, ruling that his detention violated constitutional rights. Khalil had spent three months in a Louisiana immigration detention center before his release in June.

Allegations of Political Retaliation

Officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accused Khalil of anti-Jewish activities and supporting Hamas, but they presented no evidence. Khalil responded, calling the actions “fascist tactics” aimed at silencing him for speaking out on Palestine.

“When the first deportation effort failed, they fabricated baseless claims to punish me for standing with Palestine,” Khalil said.

Wider Impact on Campus Activism

Khalil’s arrest was part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism at U.S. universities. Several international students faced detention or deportation, and some campuses experienced federal funding cuts over alleged anti-Semitic activity.

Experts warn the case may set a precedent for handling activism under U.S. immigration law, especially when it involves foreign policy concerns.

Mahmoud Khalil deportation.