Columbia Activist Mahmoud Khalil Faces Deportation as Wife, Lawyers, and Protesters Rally for His Release.

 

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Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University and permanent U.S. resident, is confronting deportation following his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 8, 2025. Khalil was detained for his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests on campus, which the Trump administration claims pose a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests.

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The ruling prohibits the U.S. government from deporting Khalil until the court issues a final decision on the case.

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The arrest and attempted deportation sparked immediate outcry from human rights advocates and students, who argue that Khalil’s detention is a politically motivated attempt to silence dissent.

In a related development, Khalil’s pregnant wife, Noor Abdalla, released a public statement condemning the arrest. She described her husband’s detention by U.S. immigration authorities as a “kidnapping” and called for his immediate release and expressed fears about raising their child without him.

  Abdalla emphasized the emotional toll of the situation, stating, "It would be very devastating for me and for him to meet his first child behind bars" .

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 Despite the federal judge's temporary block, an immigration judge in Louisiana later ruled that Khalil could be deported on grounds of being a national security risk, even though he holds legal residency status in the U.S. Khalil’s legal team has been given until April 23 to appeal the decision and is working to obtain a waiver to prevent his removal.

The case has drawn national attention, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. immigration policy, freedom of protest, and advocacy for Palestinian rights on American campuses.

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The case has galvanized public opinion, with protests erupting across university campuses. At Columbia University, students chained themselves to campus gates, demanding transparency regarding Khalil's arrest and the university's involvement. Civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have condemned the deportation proceedings, viewing them as an attack on free speech and political activism .​

Khalil's legal team is appealing the deportation ruling and has until April 23 to seek a waiver. They argue that the government's actions are politically motivated and lack substantial evidence. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the rights of noncitizen activists in the United States .

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