An immigration appeals board has denied Mahmoud Khalil’s final appeal, clearing the way for his deportation from the United States. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued the order on April 9, rejecting Khalil’s bid to dismiss the case. The decision authorizes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to proceed with his removal.
Khalil, a 31-year-old Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, has been a focal point in the federal government’s crackdown on noncitizens involved in pro-Palestinian protests. His legal team has condemned the ruling as "baseless and politically motivated," arguing that the government lacks evidence to support the case. The Trump administration has claimed Khalil’s protest activities were "aligned with Hamas," though no specific evidence has been publicly presented linking him to the terrorist group.
Khalil has denied allegations of antisemitism and maintains that his activism is rooted in opposition to Israeli policies in Gaza. His attorneys argue that the deportation case is retaliatory, targeting his speech and political views. The BIA’s decision comes amid broader federal efforts to deport noncitizens involved in anti-Israel protests, with Khalil being the first publicly known case in this crackdown.
Khalil’s legal team has indicated they will continue fighting the decision, citing a separate federal case that they argue prevents his detention or deportation. The BIA’s rulings are not publicly disclosed, and the Department of Justice has not provided further details on the reasoning behind the decision.
Khalil previously spent 104 days in immigration jail after his arrest in March 2024, missing the birth of his first child. A federal judge in New Jersey ordered his release, but the latest ruling revives the threat of deportation. The case has drawn attention to the intersection of immigration law, free speech, and political activism, with critics arguing that the government is weaponizing the legal system to suppress dissent.