US judge orders deportation of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil

September 18, 2025

A US immigration judge has ordered the deportation of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil to Algeria or Syria, claiming he omitted information from his green card application. Khalil, a 30-year-old permanent US resident who gained prominence during Columbia University's Gaza war protests, was detained for three months by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in March as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on campus antisemitism. His lawyers have announced they will appeal the deportation order and note that existing federal court orders prevent the government from deporting or detaining him.

Who is affected

Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old permanent US resident of Palestinian descent
Khalil's wife (a US citizen) and their newborn son
Pro-Palestinian activists and protesters at Columbia University
Students involved in campus protests regarding Gaza

What action is being taken

Judge Jamee Comans has ordered Khalil's deportation to either Algeria or Syria
Khalil's lawyers are appealing the deportation decision
Khalil's lawyers have filed a claim for $20 million in damages alleging false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and being falsely labeled an antisemite
Federal court orders remain in effect prohibiting the government from deporting or detaining Khalil

Why it matters

The case represents part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown on universities it claims have failed to address antisemitism
It raises questions about free speech protections for activists engaged in political protest
Trump has characterized Khalil's arrest as "the first of many to come," suggesting potential wider implications for pro-Palestinian activists
The case highlights tensions between immigration enforcement and political activism
It occurs amid ongoing controversy over campus protests related to the Gaza war

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC