Board Rules Mahmoud Khalil Can Be Deported

The Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student targeted for his Palestinian activism, can be deported. The ruling came in response to an appeal of his earlier removal order which would have sent him to Syria or Algeria.

Khalil's legal team argues the decision is politically motivated and plan to appeal while he remains protected by an ongoing federal habeas corpus case. According to UPI, Khalil cannot be removed or detained during this separate court process in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, with additional appeals planned for the Fifth Circuit.

The BIA's decision was based on allegations that Khalil failed to disclose information about an internship at the UNRWA and his involvement with CU Apartheid Divest on his green card application. His legal team contends these omissions were unintentional, as reported by UPI. The Trump administration has also claimed his protest activities were 'aligned with Hamas,' though no evidence of direct connection to the terrorist group has been presented.

Khalil maintains he is being targeted for speaking out against Israeli actions in Gaza. He stated, 'The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against the genocide in Palestine - and this administration has weaponized the immigration system to punish me for it' as reported by NPR. His legal team argues the decision violates a federal court order banning use of a controversial 'Rubio determination' foreign policy provision in his case.

The ruling comes amid broader concerns about political influence over immigration courts, which have seen staff reductions and increased alignment with Department of Homeland Security lawyers under Trump's administration. Khalil previously spent 104 days in detention after his March arrest, missing the birth of his first child before a federal judge ordered his release.