Immigration Appeals Board Issues Deportation Order for Mahmoud Khalil

The Board of Immigration Appeals has finalized a deportation order for Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel activist, pushing forward the Trump administration’s initiative to remove him from the U.S., according to his legal team.

On Thursday, the Justice Department’s Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) denied Khalil’s request to dismiss the case, marking a key step in the administration’s efforts to deport him. Khalil, 31, is a lawful permanent resident and has become a focal point in the government’s extensive campaign against noncitizens involved in anti-Israel protests related to the Gaza conflict. He was notably the first person publicly connected to these arrest efforts.

Khalil’s attorneys criticized the ruling as “baseless and politically motivated,” claiming it was retaliation for his speech without substantial evidence backing the government’s position.

Despite the BIA’s decision, Khalil’s lawyers argue that he cannot be deported while a separate federal habeas case is still active. A New Jersey federal judge had previously ordered his release, suggesting the rationale for Khalil’s detention was likely unconstitutional.

The Trump administration has alleged that Khalil’s protests are tied to Hamas, a claim supported by the Department of Homeland Security. However, no clear evidence has been presented linking him directly to the organization. He has also denied accusations of anti-Semitism.

Mark Van der Hout, Khalil’s lead attorney, pointed out that in his years of experience, he had never encountered a decision so politically charged. He asserted that the ruling violated federal court standards and vowed to contest it vigorously.

Khalil asserts that he is being punished for voicing his opposition to the suffering of Palestinians. “I have not committed a crime. The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against genocide in Palestine,” he stated. Khalil’s activism reached significant heights in 2024 during anti-Israel protests on the Columbia University campus, where he earned his master’s degree later that year.

After Khalil’s arrest in 2025, during which he was told his green card would be revoked, he was detained in Louisiana. His wife, a U.S. citizen, gave birth to their child while he was in custody.

Khalil’s case has drawn attention not only because of the national immigration policy context but also due to the allegations surrounding the protests. White House press secretary Caroline Levitt previously maintained that there is a strict stance against any violence supporters, saying that the U.S. maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any association with terrorism.

As the legal battles continue, Khalil remains adamant in his stance, claiming that the government’s actions reflect broader ideological battles rather than legal principles. “This is not justice; it’s merely retaliation against me,” he added.