US Judge Approves Deportation of Palestinian Columbia Student Khalil

A U.S. immigration judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student and pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University, can be deported—a decision that marks a major development in the Trump administration’s broader effort to remove foreign students linked to political activism.

Judge Jamee Comans of the LaSalle Immigration Court in Louisiana issued the ruling on Friday, stating she lacked the authority to overturn a decision made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio, citing the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, claimed Khalil’s presence could harm U.S. foreign policy interests, despite acknowledging that Khalil had committed no crime.

Khalil, a lawful permanent resident, was arrested on March 8 at his New York apartment and transferred to a Louisiana detention facility. Though the judge has not issued a final deportation order, she gave Khalil’s legal team until April 23 to seek relief that might prevent his removal—such as asylum on the grounds of possible persecution.

Khalil, born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and holding Algerian citizenship, has become a prominent figure in student-led protests at Columbia. He maintains that his advocacy, which includes criticism of U.S. support for Israel, is protected speech under the First Amendment.

His lawyers objected to the court’s fast-tracked proceedings, arguing they had less than 48 hours to review key evidence, including an undated letter from Rubio. They also accused the government of using immigration law to silence dissent. “Mahmoud was subject to a charade of due process,” said lead attorney Marc Van Der Hout.

Khalil was allowed to speak before the court adjourned, expressing frustration at what he described as an unfair process. “This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, a thousand miles away from my family,” he said.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in New Jersey has temporarily blocked Khalil’s deportation pending review of whether his arrest violated constitutional rights.

Outside the Louisiana courtroom, Khalil’s supporters wept while others gathered in New York to rally in his defense. His wife, a U.S. citizen, held up a photo from their wedding, vowing to continue the legal battle.

Though the immigration court system operates under the U.S. Justice Department and is not part of the judicial branch, this case is expected to draw intense scrutiny and possibly set a precedent for how activism by non-citizens is treated under U.S. immigration law.