Mahmoud Khalil Faces Deportation After Immigration Board Ruling

Sat Apr 11 2026 07:35:50 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Former Columbia University student and activist Mahmoud Khalil's appeal to dismiss his deportation case has been denied, marking another step towards potential re-arrest.

The Board of Immigration Appeals has denied Mahmoud Khalil’s latest effort to dismiss his deportation case. Khalil, who claims the decision is politically motivated, faces possible re-arrest. His lawyers argue that he cannot be lawfully deported while pursuing a case in federal court. Khalil was previously detained for 104 days and has been vocal against U.S. policies towards Israel and Palestine.

NEW YORK (MetaWorld Media) — Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia University and Palestinian activist, faces imminent deportation after the Board of Immigration Appeals denied his latest attempt to have his case dismissed. This ruling, issued on Thursday, aligns with the expectations of Khalil and his legal team, who have long contended that the process is driven by political motives.

Khalil, 31, expressed disappointment at the ruling, labeling it “biased” and reiterating that he is entitled to stay in the U.S. while a separate legal case continues in the federal court system. He stated, “The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against the genocide in Palestine.”

The Board of Immigration Appeals, which plays a significant role in the intricacies of the U.S. immigration system, is governed by the Department of Justice and has been perceived to reflect the political inclinations of the Trump administration. Khalil's lawyers plan to request a reconsideration from a full panel of appeals judges following a recent setback where an appellate panel ruled that a judge in New Jersey had overstepped by releasing Khalil from immigration detention.

Khalil’s case has garnered attention since he was one of the first activists known to be arrested under government policies aimed at individuals who criticize Israel’s actions. His initiatives on campus persistently faced scrutiny, with officials claiming his protests were linked to Hamas, an allegation that Khalil categorically denies.

After being detained for 104 days last year, Khalil was released by a federal judge, a decision later challenged by the justice system. Now, as he faces possible re-arrest, the implications of his case extend beyond personal risk, raising questions about free speech and the treatment of activists within the immigration system.

With looming deportation risks, the stakes are high for Khalil, a man who fears violent repercussions in his homeland if returned. He holds dual citizenship from Algeria through distant relatives but regards himself as a Palestinian born in Syria.