Immigration Judge in Louisiana Allows Trump Administration to Move Forward with Deportation of Columbia University Activist
In a recent ruling, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jamee Comans in Louisiana upheld the Trump administration’s effort to deport Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil. Comans deemed the government’s determination that Khalil poses “adverse foreign policy consequences” for the U.S. as “facially reasonable” and grounds for deportation.
Khalil, a vocal member of protests at Columbia University over the war in Gaza, was arrested by ICE in early March outside his New York City apartment where he lived with his pregnant U.S. citizen wife. Khalil, born in Syria but a citizen of Algeria, has been held in an ICE detention facility in Jena, Louisiana.
Despite this ruling, Khalil’s lawyers were given until April 23 to file applications for relief to prevent his deportation to Syria or Algeria. The second deportation ground citing immigration fraud due to alleged omissions in his green card application was held in abeyance.
Khalil’s attorney condemned the ruling, calling it a violation of Khalil’s right to free speech and due process. The Trump administration has used a provision of immigration law rarely employed to target Khalil, arguing that his activities have adverse foreign policy consequences for the U.S.
Khalil and his legal team have vowed to continue fighting against the deportation, asserting that this case sets a dangerous precedent for targeting individuals based on their beliefs and speech. They have also filed a separate lawsuit challenging Khalil’s arrest, detention, and deportation efforts.
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