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Immigration Judge Demands Evidence Justifying Deportation of Columbia University Activist
Court Orders Federal Authorities to Substantiate Deportation Attempt Within 24 Hours
A Louisiana immigration judge has directed the federal government to furnish evidence by Wednesday to justify its endeavor to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student activist. The order came during a crucial hearing in the case of Khalil, a prominent pro-Palestinian advocate facing potential removal from the United States.
Judge Jamee Comans, presiding over the hearing, mandated that the government provide substantiation for its allegations against Khalil within a day. Marc Van Der Hout, a member of Khalil’s legal team who was present at the proceedings, confirmed the 24-hour deadline.
“To date, the government has failed to produce any credible evidence to bolster its accusations or charges in this matter,” stated Van Der Hout. He further criticized the government’s assertion regarding “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences” resulting from Khalil’s presence and activities in the country as “outrageous.”
The Department of Justice has not yet issued a response to requests for comment on the judge’s order.
Background: Arrest and Residency Status of Mahmoud Khalil
Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old green card holder granting him permanent residency in the U.S., was apprehended in March outside his university-affiliated residence in New York City. Subsequently, he was transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana, where he currently remains as he fights deportation. The activist’s case has drawn national attention due to the controversial grounds cited for his potential removal.
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Rarely Used Provision in Immigration Law Invoked
The previous administration under President Trump reportedly invoked a seldom-utilized provision within immigration law. This provision empowers the Secretary of State to initiate deportation proceedings if it is determined that an individual’s presence “would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.” This legal clause forms the basis for the government’s current attempt to deport Khalil.
Government Accusations Against the Activist
Federal authorities have also levied accusations that Khalil allegedly withheld critical information on his permanent residency application. The government claims he failed to disclose affiliations with certain organizations and did not reveal his prior employment at the Syria Office within the British Embassy in Beirut.
Defense Dismisses Government Claims as “Absurd”
An attorney representing Khalil contends that the government’s asserted justifications “primarily demonstrate that the supposed ‘foreign policy’ rationales for Mahmoud’s removal are baseless and unconstitutional.” The defense argues the government’s case lacks merit and infringes upon Khalil’s constitutional rights.
Homeland Security Alleges Hamas-Aligned Activities
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly stated that Khalil “led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.” However, Khalil’s legal representative has firmly refuted these claims, asserting that no evidence exists to substantiate any provision of support to a terrorist organization.
White House Claims of Campus Disruption and Pro-Hamas Propaganda
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has publicly asserted that Khalil “organized group protests” resulting in “disruption of college campus classes” and “harassment of Jewish American students,” creating an “unsafe” campus environment. Leavitt further alleged Khalil “distributed pro-Hamas propaganda, fliers with the logo of Hamas,” amplifying accusations against the student activist.
Notably, Mahmoud Khalil is not currently facing any criminal charges in connection with these allegations, raising questions about the nature of the government’s deportation efforts.
Judge to Decide Khalil’s Fate at Upcoming Hearing
Judge Comans has scheduled a pivotal hearing for Friday, where she is expected to rule on whether Khalil will be deported from the United States or if she will order his release from detention. Should the judge deem him deportable, Khalil’s legal team retains the option to pursue appeals and seek relief from removal.
Van Der Hout expressed apprehension that the expedited timeline for a ruling this week offers “no realistic opportunity for Mahmoud and his lawyers to contest this baseless charge.” He voiced concern over the limited time frame to adequately respond to the government’s allegations.
“If a decision is rendered this Friday,” Van Der Hout cautioned, “it would represent an unwarranted rush to judgment that would completely deprive Mahmoud of fundamental due process, a cornerstone principle of our legal system.”
Family Impact: Wife Awaits Husband’s Presence for Childbirth
Compounding the legal battle, Khalil and his wife, a U.S. citizen, are anticipating the arrival of their first child this month. Earlier Tuesday, Noor Abdalla, Khalil’s wife, conveyed the emotional toll of the separation in a poignant letter to her husband, highlighting the personal stakes intertwined with the legal proceedings.
“I miss you more and more everyday,” Abdalla wrote in her letter. “And as the days draw us closer to the arrival of our child, I am haunted by the uncertainty that looms over me—the possibility that you might not be there for this monumental moment.”