Immigration judge orders deportation of Mahmoud Khalil to Syria or Algeria

Published: Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 2:05 am

Immigration Judge Orders Deportation of Green Card Holder

An immigration judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident, must be deported to either Syria or Algeria. The decision, issued on September 12th in Louisiana by Judge Jamee Comans, stems from Khalil's alleged failure to disclose information on his U.S. green card application.

According to court documents, Khalil did not disclose his internship with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and his ties to Columbia University Apartheid Divest, an anti-Israel campus coalition. The judge cited these omissions as deliberate and a basis for his removal.

Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 8th at his Manhattan apartment and spent over three months in detention. He was later released in June after a U.S. District Judge ruled he was not a flight risk or a danger to the public. The judge also temporarily blocked Khalil's removal while reviewing his claim that the government's actions were retaliation for protected political speech.

Khalil's legal team has confirmed their intention to appeal the deportation order to the Board of Immigration Appeals, framing the case as a broader civil rights issue. Khalil has stated that the ruling is a form of retaliation for his exercise of free speech.

Federal authorities have argued that Khalil's misrepresentations involved politically sensitive affiliations, raising national security and foreign policy concerns.

BNN's Perspective:

This case highlights the complex intersection of immigration law, national security, and freedom of speech. While the government has a responsibility to ensure the integrity of the immigration process, it is crucial that such actions do not infringe upon constitutionally protected rights. The appeal process will be critical in determining whether the government's actions were justified or constituted an overreach.

Keywords: Mahmoud Khalil, deportation, immigration, green card, UNRWA, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, free speech, ICE, national security, legal permanent resident, appeal, Board of Immigration Appeals

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