Mahmoud Khalil's Deportation Appeal Denied, Activist Faces Re-Arrest

Sat Apr 11 2026 06:20:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Board of Immigration Appeals has denied Mahmoud Khalil's plea to dismiss his deportation case, heightening the risk of his potential expulsion. Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, claims political bias against him.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, has faced a setback in his immigration case as the Board of Immigration Appeals has denied his recent request to dismiss his deportation proceedings. Khalil's lawyers argue that his activism, especially speaking out against the genocide in Palestine, has led to targeted actions against him by the U.S. government. Having spent 104 days in detention after his arrest last year, Khalil claims that he could face danger if deported due to his outspoken views. His legal team continues to challenge the ruling, asserting that the current immigration system is being weaponized for political purposes.

NEW YORK (AP) — An immigration appeals board has denied Mahmoud Khalil’s latest bid to dismiss his deportation case, a ruling that brings the former Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist one step closer to re-arrest and possible expulsion.

The Board of Immigration Appeals issued the final order of removal on Thursday. Khalil called the ruling biased and politically motivated and highlighted that he cannot be lawfully detained or deported while pursuing a separate case in federal court.

“The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against the genocide in Palestine — and this administration has weaponized the immigration system to punish me for it,” Khalil stated.

The board's rulings are not public, and inquiries to the U.S. Department of Justice have yielded no immediate response.

Amid increasing scrutiny, the board that sets precedent within the complex immigration court system has come under suspicion for bias, particularly under the Trump administration's influence. Khalil, a 31-year-old legal permanent resident, became known after being arrested during the federal crackdown on non-citizens openly criticizing Israeli actions.

The government has alleged connections between Khalil's activism and Hamas, a charge he vehemently denies, claiming no evidence has been presented for such assertions.

Last year, Khalil spent 104 days in immigration detention, during which he missed the birth of his first child. He was subsequently released by a New Jersey federal judge, only for a U.S. appeals panel to later reverse that decision, stating it should go through immigration courts first.

Khalil's lawyers are currently challenging the ruling and have requested a full appeals panel to reconsider the panel’s decision while raising concerns over potential biases from one of its judges due to prior Justice Department roles.

Born in Syria to a Palestinian family and holding Algerian citizenship, Khalil has expressed concerns about facing severe repercussions, including death, if deported.