US Judge Approves Deportation of Palestinian Columbia Student Mahmoud Khalil
A U.S. immigration judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student enrolled at Columbia University, is eligible for deportation—endorsing the Trump administration’s assertion that his political activism poses a threat to U.S. foreign interests.
Judge Jamee Comans, presiding over the LaSalle Immigration Court in Louisiana, stated that she had no authority to override a decision made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio invoked the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act to justify Khalil’s removal, referencing concerns about national security.
In a letter submitted this week, Rubio described Khalil’s involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations as “antisemitic” and “disruptive,” suggesting that his activities could harm American diplomatic objectives abroad.
Khalil, 27, was detained by federal authorities on March 8 at his New York residence and relocated to an immigration detention center in Jena, Louisiana—over 1,200 miles away from his home and academic institution.
No criminal charges have been filed against him.
Originally born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, Khalil holds Algerian citizenship and became a lawful U.S. permanent resident in 2024. His wife is an American citizen.
Khalil’s legal team maintains that his arrest and detention are retribution for his constitutionally protected political speech, particularly his criticism of U.S. support for Israel. They also argued that the expedited nature of his hearing—conducted in a jail facility—denied him fundamental due process rights.
“This is exactly why I was brought here, far from my family and my life in New York,” Khalil said during the hearing. “This process has shown no concern for justice or fairness.”
Defense attorney Marc Van Der Hout said they were given less than two days to review new evidence submitted by the government, including Rubio’s letter. The court denied their request to subpoena Rubio for cross-examination.
During the proceedings, Judge Comans scolded Van Der Hout for veering off topic and accused him of pushing a personal agenda. She emphasized that the law grants the Secretary of State full discretion in matters tied to national security.
The court has allowed Khalil’s lawyers until April 23 to submit a formal appeal for relief, which immigration judges can grant in certain cases where the individual faces danger if deported.
In a separate legal action, a federal judge in New Jersey has temporarily blocked Khalil’s removal while reviewing whether his arrest infringed upon his First Amendment rights.
Khalil’s case has drawn national attention and sparked protests, particularly among students and faculty at Columbia University. Many of his supporters attended the hearing and left in tears.
“This wasn’t justice,” said Van Der Hout in a post-hearing statement. “It was the misuse of immigration law to silence political dissent.”
The immigration court system operates under the U.S. Department of Justice and is distinct from the federal judicial branch.
