Immigration Judge Orders Mahmoud Khalil’s Deportation to Syria or Algeria

An immigration judge in Louisiana has ordered Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and legal U.S. permanent resident, to be deported to either Syria or Algeria.

The decision, handed down by Judge Jamee Comans, centers on claims that Khalil left out key details when applying for his green card. Officials say he failed to disclose his work with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) and his involvement with Columbia University’s pro-Palestinian student coalition.

Khalil was arrested back in March as part of a Trump administration crackdown on campus activism. Since then, his case has gained national attention, with supporters saying his removal is less about immigration paperwork and more about silencing his political voice.

While a federal judge in New Jersey previously blocked his immediate deportation, this new ruling puts him in serious danger of being removed. His lawyers plan to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals, but experts warn the process moves fast and rarely goes in favor of the immigrant.

For now, Khalil remains in custody in Louisiana as the legal battle continues.