On Friday, April 11, 2025, Louisiana Judge Jamee Comans ruled that political activist Mahmoud Khalil can be legally deported from the United States.
Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia, is a lawful permanent resident with a green card. Following the Israel-Hamas war, he led pro-Palestinian protests and was detained in March 2025, after Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that Khalil was anti-semitic and undermined U.S. national security. Rubio relied on the federal statute, the Immigration Nationality Act of 1952, which gives the Secretary of State permission to remove a non-citizen if they threaten the country’s security.
International Students at Risk for Deportation
At the hearing in the detention center in Louisiana, Judge Comans made the ruling that she had no jurisdiction to question Rubio’s resolution and that Khalil is subject to deportation. Khalil, however, will not be deported immediately and has the right to appeal the court’s decision until April 23, 2025. There is also a separate ongoing case in New Jersey on whether he could legally be detained and arrested.
Immigration advocates worry that the decision for Khalil to be deported for free speech will have wide-reaching implications for other students and workers who the Trump administration has targeted for political activism. If you believe that your immigration status in the U.S. may be affected, it is highly recommended to speak to an immigration attorney immediately.
Consult an Immigration Attorney Today
Many international students and visa holders, especially those with criminal records or those who participated in the wave of political protests on college campuses last year, are particularly vulnerable and should consider immediate action by consulting with an immigration attorney.
Please contact our offices today if you have questions regarding your immigration status.
