Judge Deals Mahmoud Khalil Major Setback in Deportation Fight

A federal immigration judge in Louisiana ruled Friday that Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil's deportation case can move forward, a major blow to the activist who has been in detention for weeks without charges.

The pro-Palestinian organizer and green card holder was detained in New York City on March 8, with the Trump administration citing the grounds for his removal as being adverse to U.S. foreign policy. He spoke in court following the ruling.

"I would like to quote what you said last time that there's nothing that's more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness. Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process," Khalil, 30, told the court.

"This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, 1,000 miles away from my family. I just hope that the urgency that you deemed fit for me are afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months."

Why It Matters

Khalil's case became a focal point of the Trump administration's mass deportation effort and crackdown on antisemitism, when he was arrested just over a month ago. His supporters argue his detention and potential removal violate First Amendment rights, as dozens of other students who expressed similar views have seen their student visas revoked and faced arrest.

What To Know

Khalil worked as a mediator between pro-Palestinian protesters and Columbia University during protests on the campus in 2023 and 2024. He was a graduate student, whose American citizen wife is due to give birth soon.

The judge's ruling in Jena, Louisiana, comes less than 48 hours after the federal government offered one piece of evidence that it believes justifies Khalil's deportation: a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said that while the green card holder's actions were "otherwise lawful," his views undermined U.S. policy.

No criminal charges have been filed against Khalil, despite this being among the requirements for revocation of lawful permanent residence.

Despite the judge's ruling, Khalil's habeas case in New Jersey continues, with the judge there ordering a prompt conference to discuss Friday's decision. Khalil is seeking release from jail, to continue to fight his deportation from home alongside his wife.

Following Friday's hearing, Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders spoke out against the Trump administration's actions, warning Americans that the case could have widespread ramifications across the country and the policies would not just target pro-Palestinians.

In a briefing Thursday, Khalil's legal team said they were aware that the case could have implications for all those detained by federal agents for having expressed pro-Palestinian views.

It was reported by CNN Friday that over 500 student visas had been revoked by the State Department since Trump returned to the White House.

What People Are Saying

Marc Van Der Hout, an attorney specializing in immigration and founding partner of Van Der Hout, LLP, said in a statement: "Today, we saw our worst fears play out: Mahmoud was subject to a charade of due process, a flagrant violation of his right to a fair hearing, and a weaponization of immigration law to suppress dissent. This is not over, and our fight continues.

"If Mahmoud can be targeted in this way, simply for speaking out for Palestinians and exercising his constitutionally protected right to free speech, this can happen to anyone over any issue the Trump administration dislikes. We will continue working tirelessly until Mahmoud is free and rightfully returned home to his family and community."

Amy Greer, associate attorney at Dratel & Lewis, said in a press release: "This is egregious overreach by the US government. Every single person in this country has the right to speak out against issues that matter to them — and I fear that this decision will embolden the Trump administration to target other vulnerable people who are simply speaking out for Palestinian human rights and against an ongoing genocide. We have fought for Mahmoud's release every single day since he was detained. We will continue to do so until he is home with his family."

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin previously told Newsweek in a statement: "On March 9, 2025, in support of President Trump's executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism, and in coordination with the Department of State, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student. Khalil led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. ICE and the Department of State are committed to enforcing President Trump's executive orders and to protecting U.S. national security."

What's Next

Khalil has until April 23 to file applications for relief, or face deportation to Syria or Algeria.