Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist, steps forward in his quest for asylum.
In a nearly 10-hour hearing on Thursday, an immigration judge has not yet decided whether Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who the Trump administration has targeted for deportation after his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, is eligible for asylum.
Judge Jamee Comans has granted attorneys for Khalil, who testified during the hearing, and attorneys for the Trump administration until June 2 to submit written closing statements before she renders her decision. Khalil, a permanent resident married to an American citizen, has been held in a Louisiana detention center since ICE agents arrested him in his New York City apartment in March.
During his testimony, Khalil spoke about growing up in a Syrian refugee camp where he and his family faced torture, kidnappings, and, in some instances, death. He expressed concern that his support for Palestinian rights would make him a target in any country to which he might be deported, including allegations that he could be used as a bargaining chip in discussions between the Syrian government and other nations, including the U.S.
Before the hearing, Khalil met his infant son for the first time. His wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, gave birth while Khalil was still in detention in Louisiana on April 21. Throughout the hearing, Khalil often looked towards his son whenever the baby cooed.
Khalil also detailed his role in negotiating between protest groups at Columbia and voiced his opposition to the war in Gaza. "I spent a good part of my life fleeing from harm, advocating for the marginalized to have rights. That's what put me in danger," he said.
Several expert witnesses, including U.C. Davis historian Muriam Davis, were called by Khalil's legal team during the hearing. Davis testified about the dangers Khalil might face if deported to Algeria or Syria due to the notoriety of his case.
During cross-examination, DHS Deputy Chief Counsel Numa Metoyer challenged Khalil's claims about his personal safety in Algeria or Syria. Metoyerasked if Khalil had been personally harmed or faced physical persecution before leaving these countries.
Khalil's case was ruled deportable by Judge Comans last month based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assertions that Khalil's continued presence and actions in the U.S. pose "adverse foreign policy consequences." Rubio claimed that Khalil should be removed because of his involvement in "antisemitic protests and disruptive activities, which fosters a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States."
Judge Comans also denied Khalil's motion to terminate the case based on claims that his arrest and detention were illegal, as he was arrested without a warrant. Additionally, she declined to hear arguments from Khalil’s team regarding the government's allegations that Khalil lied on his green card application, stating that the issue was irrelevant because she had already determined that Khalil was removable.
There were heated exchanges between Khalil's counsel, Marc Van Der Hout, and Judge Comans during the hearing, with Van Der Hout expressing his intention to argue on the judge's decisions.
With submissions of over 600 pages of documents, declarations, and expert analyses supporting their claim that Khalil is not antisemitic and faces potential torture and death if deported, Khalil's legal team emphasized the significant risks and dangers associated with deportation to countries like Algeria or Syria, given their histories of political repression and human rights abuses.
In the ongoing debate of international politics, the case of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, currently detained in a Louisiana facility, revolves around his eligibility for asylum due to his fear of persecution in countries to which he might be deported. Amidst allegations that he could be used as a bargaining chip in international discussions, Khalil's legal team provided evidence supporting their claim that he faces potential torture and death if deported to countries with histories of political repression and human rights abuses, such as Algeria or Syria.
