A U.S. immigration judge ruled on Friday to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a 27-year-old Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University. Judge Jamee Comans, at LaSalle Immigration Court in Louisiana, upheld the Trump administration’s claim. Specifically, it argues Khalil’s pro-Palestinian activism threatens U.S. foreign policy.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act in a letter. He labelled Khalil’s protest participation as “antisemitic” and “disruptive.” Consequently, Rubio argued Khalil’s presence harms American interests. Judge Comans said she couldn’t override Rubio’s decision.
BREAKING: A judge rules that the Trump administration can move forward with deportation efforts for Mahmoud Khalil. | @brooketaylortv @marthamaccallum pic.twitter.com/JmAGnd3RPu
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 11, 2025Khalil’s Arrest and Hearing
Federal agents arrested Khalil on March 8, 2025, at his New York apartment and moved him to a detention centre in Jena, Louisiana, 1,200 miles from his family. Notably, Khalil faces no criminal charges. Born in a Syrian Palestinian refugee camp and holding Algerian citizenship, he became a U.S. permanent resident in 2024. His wife is American.
Khalil’s legal team, led by Marc Van Der Hout, called the hearing unfair. They received Rubio’s letter less than 48 hours before the court. Moreover, their request to question Rubio was denied. “This was a charade of due process,” Van Der Hout said. Khalil told the judge, “Fairness was absent here.”
Mahmoud Khalil’s lawyers claim Nazis enjoy more rights than anti-Israel protesters — as they blast judge’s deportation decision https://t.co/vzSPMg5kzS pic.twitter.com/dg21vl1ABw
— New York Post (@nypost) April 12, 2025Khalil’s lawyers argue the government targets his protected speech, including criticism of U.S. support for Israel. Supporters rallying at Columbia and beyond see this as a free speech test. Some cried and left the hearing. Meanwhile, Comans scolded Van Der Hout for pushing an “agenda.” She stressed Rubio’s authority in security matters.
Read: US Supreme Court Orders Return of Wrongfully Deported Salvadoran Man
Khalil’s team has until April 23 to seek relief, possibly citing persecution risks abroad. Separately, a New Jersey federal court paused deportation to review First Amendment concerns.
