U.S. Judge Approves Deportation Proceedings Against Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil

Watan-A judge in the case of Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil issued a ruling in favor of the federal government on Friday, allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to proceed with deportation proceedings.

Immigration Judge Jamie Comans in the state of Louisiana determined that Khalil is eligible for deportation, describing the government’s case as “prima facie credible,” and gave his defense team until April 23 to respond.

This decision comes after Khalil—formerly the lead negotiator at Columbia University’s solidarity encampment for Palestine—spent more than a month in a Louisiana detention center following his arrest on March 8.

Khalil’s arrest has sparked confrontation between international students and the Trump administration, which has increasingly targeted participants in campus protests, especially those that erupted last year in the wake of Israel’s deadly war on the Gaza Strip.

Although no criminal charges have been filed against him, federal authorities claim that his behavior justifies terminating his legal immigration status.

Khalil was swiftly transferred to Louisiana after his arrest, while separate legal proceedings between his defense team and the federal government continue over the venue of the trial—whether it will be held in New York, New Jersey, or Louisiana.

Rubio Pushes Khalil’s Deportation as Free Speech and Pro-Palestine Advocacy Come Under Fire

As part of the case brought against Khalil and other foreign-born student activists, Senator Marco Rubio invoked a rarely used legal provision that allows for the removal of any non-citizen deemed a threat to U.S. foreign policy.

The case against Khalil gained additional momentum when Judge Comans ordered the federal government on Wednesday to submit all available evidence against Khalil within 24 hours in order to issue a final decision by Friday.

After the deadline, Rubio submitted a brief supporting the government’s position, arguing that Khalil’s deportation is justified due to his “speeches and beliefs.” He claimed that Khalil’s continued presence in the U.S. could harm “U.S. policy on combating antisemitism, both domestically and globally, as well as its efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence.”

Responding to the filing, Molly Bechlin, acting legal director of the New York Civil Liberties Union and a member of Khalil’s legal team, said:“This document confirms that the government tore Mahmoud Khalil from his home and his wife—who is nine months pregnant—simply because of his views. Controversial speech is not illegal, and political speech criticizing the Israeli government or U.S. foreign policy is constitutionally protected.”

Khalil remains in detention while his wife, Noor Abdullah—a U.S. citizen—is due to give birth this month.

During his detention, Abdullah wrote:“This is the longest we’ve ever been apart since we got married. I miss you more with each passing day, and as our child’s due date nears, I’m overwhelmed with fear that you won’t be there for this life-changing moment.”

She continued:“Every kick, every cramp, every heartbeat I feel inside me reminds me of the family we dreamed of building together. And yet, I’ve been left to walk this difficult journey alone, while you endure the cruelty and injustice of detention.”

Families around the world are watching with deep concern as the U.S. escalates its crackdown on international students. Hundreds of visas have been revoked, directly affecting dozens of American universities.

Most high-profile cases targeting foreign students appear to involve those who participated in pro-Palestine protests or openly expressed support for Palestine on campus.