NEW YORK (AP) — An immigration appeals board has denied Mahmoud Khalil's latest bid to dismiss his deportation case, a largely expected 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, according to Khalil's lawyers. The board's rulings are not public, and an inquiry to the U.S. Department of Justice was not immediately returned.
Khalil stated he was not surprised by the ruling, describing it as 'biased and politically motivated.' His attorneys maintain that he cannot be lawfully detained or deported while he pursues a separate case in the federal court system. '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,' stated Khalil.
The Board of Immigration Appeals is known for setting precedents in the complex immigration court system, which is controlled by the Department of Justice and increasingly influenced by the Trump administration.
Khalil is particularly notable as the first individual whose arrest became public during the federal crackdown on noncitizens who openly criticized Israel's actions in Gaza. The government has claimed that Khalil's role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University was 'aligned with Hamas,' though they have not presented evidence supporting such claims, and Khalil vehemently denies any association with antisemitism.
Following his arrest in March of last year, Khalil spend 104 days in immigration jail and missed the birth of his first child before a federal judge in New Jersey ordered his release. However, he faced a significant setback earlier this year when a U.S. appeals panel ruled that the judge overstepped his authority by ordering Khalil's release, insisting that the case must be fully processed through immigration courts first.
Currently, Khalil's legal team is asking for the full appeals panel to reconsider the decision and is challenging the involvement of one judge based on his previous role at the Justice Department, dealing with student protesters. Khalil, born in Syria to a Palestinian family, has expressed fears that deportation could lead to his persecution or even death.
The Board of Immigration Appeals issued the final order of removal on Thursday, according to Khalil's lawyers. The board's rulings are not public, and an inquiry to the U.S. Department of Justice was not immediately returned.
Khalil stated he was not surprised by the ruling, describing it as 'biased and politically motivated.' His attorneys maintain that he cannot be lawfully detained or deported while he pursues a separate case in the federal court system. '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,' stated Khalil.
The Board of Immigration Appeals is known for setting precedents in the complex immigration court system, which is controlled by the Department of Justice and increasingly influenced by the Trump administration.
Khalil is particularly notable as the first individual whose arrest became public during the federal crackdown on noncitizens who openly criticized Israel's actions in Gaza. The government has claimed that Khalil's role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University was 'aligned with Hamas,' though they have not presented evidence supporting such claims, and Khalil vehemently denies any association with antisemitism.
Following his arrest in March of last year, Khalil spend 104 days in immigration jail and missed the birth of his first child before a federal judge in New Jersey ordered his release. However, he faced a significant setback earlier this year when a U.S. appeals panel ruled that the judge overstepped his authority by ordering Khalil's release, insisting that the case must be fully processed through immigration courts first.
Currently, Khalil's legal team is asking for the full appeals panel to reconsider the decision and is challenging the involvement of one judge based on his previous role at the Justice Department, dealing with student protesters. Khalil, born in Syria to a Palestinian family, has expressed fears that deportation could lead to his persecution or even death.
