Post by : Naveen Mittal

US Judge Orders Deportation of Pro-Palestine Activist Mahmoud Khalil

A United States immigration judge has ordered that Mahmoud Khalil, a well-known pro-Palestine activist, be deported to either Algeria or Syria. Khalil, who once studied at Columbia University and actively took part in protests against Israel’s war on Gaza, is now facing removal from the country after the judge said he failed to give full information on his green card application.

The decision has raised major concerns about free speech, human rights, and the treatment of pro-Palestine activists in the US.

Who is Mahmoud Khalil?

Mahmoud Khalil is originally from Syria but also holds Algerian citizenship. He is of Palestinian origin and has been widely recognized for his peaceful activism. Khalil played an important role in student-led protests at Columbia University in New York last year, where he supported calls for an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza and pushed for an economic boycott of Israel.

Because of his activism, Khalil has become a well-known figure among supporters of Palestine. He has also expressed fear that if he is sent back to Algeria or Syria, he may face danger and even be targeted due to his outspoken views against Israel.

The Judge’s Decision

On September 12, Judge Jamee Comans ruled that Khalil should be deported. The judge claimed that Khalil did not tell the full truth when applying for his US green card. According to the ruling, Khalil failed to disclose his ties to:

• The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which supports Palestinian refugees.

• Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a student group that campaigns for boycotts of Israel.

The judge called this a “lack of honesty” and said Khalil’s actions showed he was trying to avoid possible rejection of his application.

Judge Comans wrote: “This Court finds that the Respondent willfully misrepresented material facts for the sole purpose of circumventing the immigration process.”

Khalil’s Legal Fight

Khalil’s lawyers have strongly denied the accusations. They say the case is politically motivated and linked to his activism. His legal team has 30 days from September 12 to appeal the decision with the Board of Immigration Appeals. However, they fear the process may not succeed because immigration courts rarely stop deportations once a ruling is made.

Earlier this year, a federal judge had already stopped the government from immediately deporting Khalil. That judge, Michael Farbiarz, said his detention was unconstitutional and likely violated his free speech rights.

Previous Arrest and Detention

Khalil’s legal troubles began earlier this year. On March 8, immigration officers arrested him at his apartment in New York. His arrest was part of a wider crackdown on pro-Palestine activism in US colleges. Several other international students were also detained or deported during that time.

After being held in a Louisiana detention center for three months, Khalil was released in June when Judge Farbiarz ruled that the government had no valid reason to keep him locked up.

Government’s Position

Authorities, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have accused Khalil of being anti-Jewish and supporting Hamas. But no evidence has been presented to back these claims. Critics say this is an attempt to silence Khalil’s peaceful protests by framing them as extremist activity.

The government’s case shifted from trying to remove him under “foreign policy” reasons to now focusing on alleged mistakes in his green card application.

Khalil Speaks Out

In a statement shared after the ruling, Khalil accused the government of using unfair tactics to silence him.

He said: “When their first attempt to deport me failed, they made up baseless accusations to punish me for speaking out and standing with Palestine, calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza.”

Khalil continues to say that his activism is peaceful and rooted in human rights, not hate.

What Happens Next?

Khalil’s future now depends on the appeal process. His lawyers are preparing to challenge the ruling, but they admit the chances of success are very low. The only major protection he currently has is the earlier order from Judge Farbiarz, which blocks immediate deportation.

If the appeal fails and that order is lifted, Khalil could be deported at any time, putting him at serious risk in either Syria or Algeria.

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