U.S. immigration Judge orders pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalils deportation, his attorneys say separate ruling protects him for now

A U.S. immigration Judge ordered the deportation of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil to Algeria or Syria over claims that he omitted data from his inexperienced card utility, court docket paperwork confirmed on Wednesday (September 18, 2025).

Mr. Khalil’s attorneys mentioned they intend to enchantment the deportation order whereas saying a federal district court docket’s separate orders stay in impact that prohibit the federal government from instantly deporting or detaining him as his federal court docket case proceeds.

Immigration Judge Jamee Comans mentioned Mr. Khalil “willfully misrepresented material fact(s) for the sole purpose of circumventing the immigration process and reducing the likelihood his application would be denied”.

Mr. Khalil’s attorneys submitted a letter to a federal court docket in New Jersey overseeing his civil rights case and mentioned he’ll problem Judge Comans’ choice.

The 30-year-old everlasting U.S. resident of Palestinian descent, who can also be a Columbia University pupil, was detained by U.S. immigration authorities for greater than 100 days earlier this yr because the Trump administration sought to deport him.

His spouse, who’s a U.S. citizen, was pregnant on the time and Mr. Khalil missed the start of their little one whereas in jail. He was launched on June 20. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey mentioned on the time, whereas referring to Khalil, that punishing somebody over a civil immigration matter was unconstitutional.

President Donald Trump’s administration has cracked down on pro-Palestinian protesters corresponding to Mr. Khalil, calling them antisemitic and supporters of extremism. Protesters, together with some Jewish teams, say the federal government wrongly equates their criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with help for extremism.

“It is no surprise that the Trump administration continues to retaliate against me for my exercise of free speech,” Mr. Khalil mentioned. “When their first effort to deport me was set to fail, they resorted to fabricating baseless and ridiculous allegations in a bid to silence me for speaking out and standing firmly with Palestine, demanding an end to the ongoing genocide.”

Rights teams increase free speech and due course of considerations over the deportation makes an attempt and federal funding threats to universities the place protests occurred.

Columbia was on the coronary heart of final yr’s protests that demanded an finish to Israel’s warfare and a divestment by universities of funds from corporations that help Israel.