Mahmoud Khalil has been ordered for deportation by an immigration judge. Let's examine the subsequent measures.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist who was released from immigration jail three months ago, now faces the threat of deportation. An immigration judge in Louisiana has ruled that Khalil should be deported for failing to disclose information on his green card application.
The judge's order states that Khalil could be deported either to Syria, where he was born, or to Algeria, where he holds citizenship. However, a federal judge in New Jersey, Michael Farbiarz, issued a June 11 order that prevents the government from removing Khalil. This order will remain in place while his civil rights case plays out in New Jersey.
Khalil has repeatedly denied the charge and the federal government has not provided evidence for it. His attorneys plan to appeal the decision.
The federal appeals court with jurisdiction over the case is reliably conservative, adding an extra layer of complexity to Khalil's legal battle.
Khalil's wife is a U.S. citizen, and his 5-month-old son was born while Khalil was in federal custody. If Khalil loses his appeal, he would be stripped of his permanent residency status.
Khalil fled Syria for Lebanon in 2013. He was a prominent figure in protests at Columbia University against the war in Gaza. His activism has led to his arrest and accusations by the Trump administration of supporting "pro-Hamas" activity.
Attorneys for Khalil have said the publicity surrounding his case would leave him in mortal danger if he were forced to return to either country. Oral arguments in his civil rights case could begin as soon as next month.
In a twist of events, Khalil is currently suing the Trump administration for $20 million in damages. The ruling marks a setback for Khalil, who became the first person targeted by President Donald Trump's aggressive crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists.
Judge Jamee Comans, who made the initial ruling, found that Khalil had "willfully misrepresented" facts about his background on his green card application. Khalil's attorneys argue that the misrepresentation was due to fear and confusion during the application process.
As the legal battle continues, Khalil remains protected from detention and deportation under a separate judicial order. The outcome of his case could set a precedent for other activists facing similar circumstances.
