WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — An immigration appeals board has denied Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil’s bid to dismiss his deportation case, moving him closer to possible removal from the United States. The decision marks a major development in a case that has drawn attention to immigration enforcement and free speech concerns.
The Board of Immigration Appeals issued a final order of removal on Thursday, according to Khalil’s legal team. The board does not release its rulings publicly, and officials at the U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Khalil said he expected the outcome. He criticized the decision as unfair and politically driven.
“This ruling is biased and politically motivated,” Khalil said in a statement. “I am being targeted for speaking out.”
Khalil, 31, is a legal permanent resident and a graduate student at Columbia University. He gained national attention as a leader of pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
Federal authorities have argued that his activism aligns with Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. However, officials have not publicly presented evidence linking Khalil to the group. Khalil has strongly denied the allegations. He also rejected claims of antisemitism. He said his actions focused on criticizing Israeli policies in Gaza.
“The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against the genocide in Palestine,” Khalil said. “The immigration system is being used to punish me.”
Khalil’s attorneys said the deportation order does not end his legal fight. They argue that he cannot be lawfully detained or removed while a separate federal case remains active. Earlier this year, Khalil faced a setback in federal court. A U.S. appeals panel ruled that a New Jersey judge exceeded his authority by ordering Khalil’s release from immigration detention.
In a 2-1 decision, the panel said immigration cases must go through the full court process before federal courts can intervene. Khalil’s lawyers have asked the full appeals court to reconsider that ruling. They also requested that one judge step aside. They cited his previous role in the Justice Department, where he worked on investigations involving student protests.
Authorities arrested Khalil in March 2026 as part of a broader crackdown on noncitizens who publicly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza. His arrest was the first case to become widely known. Khalil spent 104 days in immigration detention. During that time, he missed the birth of his first child. A federal judge later ordered his release, but that decision is now under legal challenge.
The Board of Immigration Appeals plays a key role in the U.S. immigration system. It sets legal precedent for immigration courts across the country. The system operates under the Department of Justice, which oversees immigration judges and appeals.
Critics say political pressure has increasingly influenced immigration decisions. Supporters of Khalil argue that his case reflects a broader effort to silence dissent. Government officials have defended their actions. They say national security concerns justify closer scrutiny of individuals with alleged ties to extremist groups.
Khalil was born in Syria to a Palestinian family. He holds Algerian citizenship through a distant relative. He has said deportation could put his life at risk. He fears authorities in another country could target him because of his activism. He also warned that removal could expose him to violence. His lawyers plan to continue fighting the case in court. They aim to block deportation while legal challenges remain unresolved.
The final order of removal increases the likelihood that immigration authorities could detain Khalil again. It also brings him closer to deportation, though the timeline remains unclear. Legal experts say the outcome may depend on pending federal court decisions. If higher courts intervene, they could delay or overturn the removal order.
