A U.S. immigration judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration can move forward with its deportation case against Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and prominent pro-Palestinian activist who was arrested in New York City last month.
Judge Jamee Comans of the LaSalle Immigration Court in Louisiana stated she did not have the authority to overturn a decision made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who last month invoked a rarely used provision of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act. Rubio determined that Khalil’s continued presence in the United States could have “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences,” effectively greenlighting his removal.
The ruling marks a significant development in a high-profile case that has drawn national attention and reignited debate over the intersection of immigration law, free speech, and U.S. foreign policy. Khalil’s legal team has vowed to appeal the decision, arguing that the government’s move is politically motivated and infringes on Khalil’s First Amendment rights.