A US immigration judge has mandated the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, to either Algeria or Syria, citing alleged omissions in his green card application. Judge Jamee Comans of Louisiana asserted that Khalil intentionally misrepresented facts to bypass immigration procedures. Khalil, a permanent US resident of Palestinian descent, gained prominence during the 2024 Gaza war protests at Columbia University, where he was a student. His legal team has announced plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing that existing federal court orders prevent his deportation or detention. Khalil was previously detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on universities accused of failing to address antisemitism. After three months in a Louisiana immigration facility, a federal judge ruled his release, citing no flight risk or community threat. During his detention, Khalil’s wife, a US citizen, gave birth to their son. The US government has also accused Khalil of omitting details about his past affiliations, including his work with UNRWA and the British Embassy in Beirut. Khalil has condemned the deportation order as a retaliatory measure for his activism, stating, ‘They resorted to fabricating baseless allegations to silence me.’ In June, his lawyers filed a $20 million damages claim for false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. Trump has labeled pro-Palestinian activists, including Khalil, as Hamas supporters, advocating for their deportation. Khalil played a significant role in Columbia University’s 2024 protests, mediating between activists and university officials. While accused of leading the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) group, Khalil denies the claim, stating he merely served as a spokesperson and mediator.