NEW YORK (RTW News) — Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former graduate student at Columbia University, has had his latest challenge to deportation denied by the Board of Immigration Appeals. The decision has brought Khalil closer to potential re-arrest as he continues to face the threat of being expelled from the United States.
The Board issued its order on Thursday, though the specifics of the ruling were not made public. Khalil's attorney reported that this ruling, while anticipated, reflects undue political bias.
In a statement, Khalil expressed his disbelief at the outcome, stating, The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against the genocide in Palestine. This administration has weaponized the immigration system to punish me for it.
Khalil's past activism, particularly his role in pro-Palestinian protests, has led to scrutiny from U.S. immigration authorities. The government has argued that Khalil’s actions were aligned with extremist behaviors, however, no supporting evidence has been publicly produced to substantiate such claims. Khalil firmly denies these accusations, labeling them as politically motivated attempts to silence dissent.
The case highlights ongoing tensions within the immigration system, which Khalil and his legal team claim is increasingly influenced by political agendas. Following his initial arrest, Khalil spent 104 days in custody, a period marked by personal hardship as he missed the birth of his first child.
Khalil's lawyers are currently advocating for further appeals, seeking a reevaluation of the ruling that refuses to allow him to argue his case in federal court. They critically note the involvement of a judge previously employed by the Justice Department, questioning the impartiality of the ongoing legal processes.
Born in Syria to a Palestinian family and holding Algerian citizenship, Khalil fears for his life if deported, citing risks of persecution should he be forced to return.
