White House has claimed that Khalil’s ‘beliefs and associations’ are counter to US foreign policy interests

Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate and Palestinian organizer, is eligible to be deported from the United States, an immigration judge ruled on Friday during a contentious hearing at a remote court in central Louisiana.

The decision sides with the Trump administration’s claim that a short memo written by the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, which stated Khalil’s “current or expected beliefs, statements or associations” were counter to foreign policy interests, is sufficient evidence to remove a lawful permanent resident from the United States. The undated memo, the main piece of evidence submitted by the government, contained no allegations of criminal conduct.

During a tense hearing on Friday afternoon, Khalil’s attorneys made an array of unsuccessful arguments attempting to both delay a ruling on his eligibility for removal and to terminate proceedings entirely. They argued the broad allegations contained in Rubio’s memo gave them a right to directly cross-examine him.

Khalil held prayer beads as three attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security presented arguments for his removal.

Judge Jamee Comans ruled that Rubio’s determination was “presumptive and sufficient evidence” and that she had no power to rule on concerns over free speech.

“There is no indication that Congress contemplated an immigration judge or even the attorney general overruling the secretary of state on matters of foreign policy,” Comans said.

Mahmoud Khalil's support team makes statement as judge rules he can be deported
A supporter was in tears sat on the crowded public benches as the ruling was delivered.

Following the ruling, Khalil, who had remained silent throughout proceedings, requested permission to speak before the court.

Addressing the judge directly, he said: “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.’”

He continued: “Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process.

“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 is afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months.”

Khalil, 30, helped lead pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia last year. He was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officers in New York on 8 March and transferred to a detention facility in Jena, Louisiana, where he has been detained for over a month. His case was the first in a string of Ice arrests instigated by the Trump administration targeting pro-Palestinian students and scholars present in the US on visas or green cards.

The ruling means that Khalil’s removal proceedings will continue to move forward in Jena, while a separate case being heard in federal court in New Jersey examines the legality of his detention and questions surrounding the constitutionality of the government’s claims it can deport people for first amendment-protected speech if they are deemed adverse to US foreign policy.

Khalil’s legal team is asking the New Jersey judge to release him on bail so that he can reunite with his wife, who is due to give birth to their first child this month.

His lawyers slammed the decision, which they said appeared to be prewritten. “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,” said Marc van der Hout, Khalil’s immigration lawyer.

“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.”

Van der Hout told a federal judge that Khalil will file the appeal after the immigration judge who ruled him “removable” issues the final written ruling. Van der Hout added that Khalil’s legal team may also pursue an asylum case.

“So nothing is going to happen quickly in the immigration proceeding even though she’s found him removable on the foreign policy grounds,” he said.

The judge gave lawyers for Khalil until 23 April to seek a waiver.

During a short prayer vigil held outside the detention centre on Friday afternoon, a group of interfaith clergy read messages of support. A short statement from Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, who is due to give birth this month, was also delivered in front of reporters.

“Today’s decision feels like a devastating blow to our family. No person should be deemed ‘removable’ from their home for speaking out against the killing of Palestinian families, doctors, and journalists,” the statement read.

It continued: “In less than a month, Mahmoud and I will welcome our first child. Until we are reunited, I will not stop advocating for my husband’s safe return home.”

The New Jersey judge has ordered the government not to remove Khalil as his case plays out in federal court. A hearing in that case is set for later on Friday

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Source;
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/11/mahmoud-khalil-deportation-ruling-immigration

Look at this poor Islamist playing the victim card! When this dude was out there cheering for Hamas, bullying Jewish students, and making campus life miserable, did he forget that actions have consequences? LOL!

Now his wife and unborn kid can pack their bags and join him in Syria or wherever once he gets booted out (possibly). Sorry not sorry, the current U.S government has zero room for terrorist fanboys. Funny how a Palestine supporter got deported out of the UAE in seconds just for wearing a keffiyeh and shouting "Free Palestine," but suddenly this is the tragedy of the century? Where were the tears then?

If you stan a designated terror group, you’re no friend of the civilized West. Bye-bye!

Truly, the guy overstepped. He can't try all he did in his own country. God bless Israel.

Even in the UAE, Saudi, Kuwait or Qatar, you can't organize any protest for any cause, you accept whatever their decisions are or you get arrested without trace. Freedom people enjoy in the western countries have been abused.

We are in the last phase of the world, a great battle is ongoing, it's an eye for eye era. No one should cry, it's simply reciprocal

Premium Be Unto You

You can't eat your cake and still have it, not even in the US.

Nice one. He should be deported to Yemen, Afghanistan, or Gaza..

Khalifa does not want to leave the Land of the great Satan "America" to return to his home in Syria. America is evil and America is the problem of the world,yet you don't want to leave and return to your Islamic brothers in Syria. Useless people.

Botragelad:
Look at this poor Islamist playing the victim card! When this dude was out there cheering for Hamas, bullying Jewish students, and making campus life miserable, did he forget that actions have consequences? LOL!

Now his wife and unborn kid can pack their bags and join him in Syria or wherever once he gets booted out (possibly). Sorry not sorry, the current U.S government has zero room for terrorist fanboys. Funny how a Palestine supporter got deported out of the UAE in seconds just for wearing a keffiyeh and shouting "Free Palestine," but suddenly this is the tragedy of the century? Where were the tears then?

If you stan a designated terror group, you’re no friend of the civilized West. Bye-bye!

Why don't you tell us what you think of Hitler while you're at it?

Saga16:


Why don't you tell us what you think of Hitler while you're at it?

Hitler was a dictator who died just like Sinwar, Nasrallah, and the other cowards. The only difference? He chose to kill himself! 😂

He should go to his country and stage the protest, things they can't try in their country they feel entitled to do in America or Europe.

I love Trump

Botragelad:

Hitler was a dictator who died just like Sinwar, Nasrallah, and the other cowards. The only difference? He chose to kill himself! 😂

How's Trump different?

Saga16:


How's Trump different?

Did Trump commit a genocide or start/trigger a world war due to his expansionist idea? 🤷🏼

Trump is very much alive too.🤦🏼

You hate America and love Islamic countries but you don't want to leave the country that you hate and go to the ones you so much love.

Islamists are big treat to this world

PLEASE DEPORT THE NUISANCE VERY FAST.

Good, let him go to Gaza and fight alongside wit hamas

Make Israel give am his 72 virgins

I was watching antisemit news outlet (Aljazera) yesterday and some democratic sponsored lawyers where busy foaming from the mouth😂 saying that the judge was intimidated by marco Rubio to pass the judgement in favour of Trump.... If i was Rubio i would have order ICE to immediately deport him to Palestine/syria where he hails from.

He will be recalled by a democratic administration.

He is just going on vacation. Less than 4 years and he will reunite with his family.

This will discourage more people going to the USA for education, something they are already losing out from since Trump started attacking here and there.

Trump said he will make America first but it's an illusion to think that everyone but America is the problem. By instilling fear into people, America will lose out on his soft position to attract the brightest mind and influence the world. Other countries will take advantage of this. America always prided itself as the home of democracy and free speech where thinking was allowed, especially at the intellectual level. Now, even America's neighbor, Canadians are no longer interested in going to the U.S. So for those who think it's just about sticking to you position or they think this is Christian VS Muslim, you are naive. The world is a much bigger place than your narrow view of the world.

I have no position in the matter but the truth is that USA will suffer for this because the only reason they used to do most of these activism around the world was for soft power. They will lose it in the next few years. Other countries will start forming alliances. Canada closed its borders to international students thinking it was to pacify Trump but once people start calling the bluff of Trump, they will seize the opportunity of the US loss. US falsely believes it can stay alone under Trump but the combined power of EU is stronger than US and Russia. Trump himself is afraid of currency blocs outside the dollar but there is no action without reaction.


For the right wing, they always think immigrants are mostly the problem. The truth is, the hunger of immigrants cannot match the laid-back attitude of the citizens whose politicians have deceived them and denied them good quality education they can no longer afford. That same education is what others see and come to the US. I wish the US the best but I clearly remember that during apartheid in South Africa, US institutions played a role in the discrimination.

A video of anti-apartheid protests in the USA 1977-85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzTwqLYdX18

Trump USA will not allow herself to be radicalised the way Europe are being radicalised by extremist. How can you be bold to say you want UK to be a sharia country as if Sharia is a beautiful thing. You want to chop people's hand or you want to stigmatized the women of their freedom to life.

Pharaoh was once a world powerful person

You don't like the US and its foreign policy but you still want to live there by force. Why not relocate to Iran?

papyjaypaul:
This will discourage more people going to the USA for education, something they are already losing out from since Trump started attacking here and there.

They should school in their various home countries.

I hope Tinubu, FGN can take a cue and send all these marauding Fulani killer Herdsmen from Nigeria!

When you are in any country as a foreigner learn to not only respect the rules but also stay out of anything with political undertones no matter what.

Deport the morafucker and let him go and protest in Palestine or Iran or any Muslim country of his choice. It's as simple as that

Good

Personally I don't think you need a court order to deport religious extremists.

If I were the president and you come to my country to spread religious hate speech or any of that nonsense I will instruct security agencies to raid your abode by 2am and bundle you out of the country.

Stay in your own country if you want to be a nuisance!

Botragelad:
Look at this poor Islamist playing the victim card! When this dude was out there cheering for Hamas, bullying Jewish students, and making campus life miserable, did he forget that actions have consequences? LOL!

Now his wife and unborn kid can pack their bags and join him in Syria or wherever once he gets booted out (possibly). Sorry not sorry, the current U.S government has zero room for terrorist fanboys. Funny how a Palestine supporter got deported out of the UAE in seconds just for wearing a keffiyeh and shouting "Free Palestine," but suddenly this is the tragedy of the century? Where were the tears then?

If you stan a designated terror group, you’re no friend of the civilized West. Bye-bye!

Ayam yisreal chai 🇮🇱

helinues is crying
children of God are dancing

He should go back to his islambad con3

Lanre1st:
Pharaoh was once a whole powerful person

Botragelad:
Look at this poor Islamist playing the victim card! When this dude was out there cheering for Hamas, bullying Jewish students, and making campus life miserable, did he forget that actions have consequences? LOL!

Now his wife and unborn kid can pack their bags and join him in Syria or wherever once he gets booted out (possibly). Sorry not sorry, the current U.S government has zero room for terrorist fanboys. Funny how a Palestine supporter got deported out of the UAE in seconds just for wearing a keffiyeh and shouting "Free Palestine," but suddenly this is the tragedy of the century? Where were the tears then?

If you stan a designated terror group, you’re no friend of the civilized West. Bye-bye!

All Arabs immigrants in US should be deported let them.imigrste to Saudi to enjoy dere religion.. This is wat UK.france and German should do
Send dem.back home..