A US immigration judge has ordered the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and permanent US resident, to either Algeria or Syria. The ruling stems from allegations that Khalil omitted information from his green card application, a claim he vehemently denies. Judge Jamee Comans stated that Khalil "wilfully misrepresented material fact(s) for the sole purpose of circumventing the immigration process."
Khalil, who was a prominent figure in 2024 Gaza war protests at Columbia University, maintains his innocence. In a statement released through the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), he asserts that the deportation order is retaliation for exercising his right to free speech. He contends that the accusations are baseless and fabricated, a tactic employed to silence his advocacy for Palestine and condemnation of what he terms an ongoing genocide.
Khalil's lawyers have vowed to appeal the decision, citing existing federal court orders that prevent his deportation or detention. This legal battle follows a tumultuous period for Khalil. He was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March, amidst the Trump administration's crackdown on universities accused of failing to address antisemitism. After three months of detention, he was released following a federal judge's ruling that he posed no flight risk or threat to the community. During this time, his wife, a US citizen, gave birth to their son.
The government's case rests on accusations that Khalil omitted details of past affiliations from his immigration paperwork, including his association with UNRWA and his employment at the British Embassy in Beirut. Following the deportation order, Khalil filed a $20 million lawsuit against the government, alleging false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and defamation for being labeled an antisemite. The Trump administration, in previous statements, has directly linked Khalil and other pro-Palestinian activists to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. The administration has advocated for their deportation.
Khalil's involvement in the Columbia University protests brought him to the forefront of public attention. While he acted as a mediator between university officials and protestors, pro-Israel activists have accused him of leading Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), a student group pushing for divestment from Israel and a Gaza ceasefire. Khalil denies leading the group, stating he only served as a spokesperson and mediator.
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Originally published at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj9zv8xnml8o
