A U.S. immigration judge has ordered the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student, in a decision widely condemned by civil liberties groups as an attack on free speech and the Palestinian cause.

The ruling, issued by Immigration Judge Jamee Comans, accuses Khalil of “willfully misrepresenting material facts” on his green card application — a charge his supporters dismiss as a pretext to punish him for his outspoken advocacy against Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza. Judge Comans denied Khalil’s request for a waiver to remain in the U.S., insisting his alleged omissions were intentional attempts to “circumvent the immigration process.”

Critics argue that the allegations are vague, lack substantive evidence, and form part of a larger campaign to silence pro-Palestinian voices in the United States.

Khalil, who holds a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Columbia University, has been a key organizer in New York’s Palestinian solidarity movement, helping lead rallies and marches condemning Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Since the escalation of violence in October 2023 — which many human rights groups have labeled as genocidal — Khalil has been a vocal critic of U.S. military and financial support for Israel.

He was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March 2025 and held for three months before being released on bail. Khalil has consistently maintained that his arrest, detention, and now deportation order are acts of retaliation for his activism.

“It is no surprise that the Trump administration continues to retaliate against me for my exercise of free speech,” Khalil said in a statement following the decision. “This kangaroo immigration court ruling proves that their goal is to silence me because I speak out against genocide. They fabricate baseless allegations to erase my voice, but I will never stop fighting for Palestinian liberation.”

Civil liberties organizations have denounced the ruling as a dangerous precedent. The Palestinian American Community Center (PACC) warned that Khalil’s deportation is part of an escalating pattern of harassment targeting Palestinian activists, including surveillance, arrests, and visa denials. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has demanded an independent investigation into what it calls “systemic targeting” of Palestinian and Muslim activists under the guise of immigration enforcement.

Khalil’s legal team, led by immigration attorney Sarah Abdelhadi, confirmed that they will appeal the ruling to the Board of Immigration Appeals within 30 days. “This is a clear case of political persecution,” Abdelhadi said. “The government is weaponizing the immigration system to punish Mahmoud for his activism and to intimidate others who dare to speak out against Israel’s war crimes.”

Supporters have launched the campaign #StandWithMahmoud, which has already gathered more than 10,000 signatures on a petition demanding that the deportation order be overturned. Protests are scheduled outside ICE offices in New York City this weekend, with organizers framing Khalil’s case as a test of America’s commitment to free speech and dissent.

Khalil was born in a Syrian refugee camp and holds Algerian citizenship, but his supporters warn that deporting him to either Syria or Algeria would put him at risk due to political instability, surveillance, and potential persecution.

“This is not just about Mahmoud,” said a PACC spokesperson. “This is about every Palestinian who dares to speak the truth in the heart of the empire. If they can deport Mahmoud for organizing protests, they can do it to anyone.”

Despite the ruling, Khalil remains steadfast. “My fight is not just for myself but for every Palestinian who has been silenced, displaced, or erased,” he said. “We will continue to speak truth to power. They can exile me, but they cannot exile the cause of Palestine.”

The case has become a flashpoint for activists across the U.S., highlighting the intersection of immigration enforcement and political repression. With an appeal now underway, Khalil’s supporters say the coming weeks will be critical for mobilizing public pressure to stop what they describe as an “unjust and retaliatory deportation.” (ILKHA)