An immigration judge in Louisiana has ordered the federal government to provide proof by Wednesday for its push to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist. Judge Jamee Comans expects the government to submit this evidence quickly, as Khalil’s attorney, Marc Van Der Hout, pointed out that nobody has shown any evidence backing the claims against him.
Khalil, a 30-year-old U.S. permanent resident, was arrested in March outside his college apartment in New York. Since then, he has been held in a detention center in Louisiana. The government has used a rare part of immigration law that allows deportation if a person is thought to pose a significant risk to U.S. foreign policy.
Authorities allege Khalil concealed information about his ties to specific organizations and did not mention his past employment at the Syria Office in the British Embassy. Van Der Hout argues these claims are unfounded and unconstitutional.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Khalil led activities linked to Hamas, but his attorney maintains there is no solid proof of any support for terrorism. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Khalil of organizing protests that allegedly made others feel unsafe, claiming he distributed pro-Hamas materials.
Khalil has no known criminal charges against him. Judge Comans has set another hearing for Friday to decide if he should be deported or released. If deportation is ordered, Khalil’s team can seek relief. Van Der Hout warned that the judge’s timeline might not allow sufficient time to respond to what he calls baseless charges. He emphasized that rushing this decision could violate Khalil’s rights to due process.
Adding to the emotional turmoil, Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, who is a U.S. citizen, is expecting their first child soon. In a heartfelt letter, she expressed her anxieties about Khalil’s absence during this crucial moment in their lives, saying, “I miss you more and more every day… I am haunted by the uncertainty that looms over me.”
This case reflects broader tensions in immigration and national security debates, sparking discussions online about the balance between safety, civil rights, and the implications of targeted deportation. As experts note, using national security as grounds for deportation can set a dangerous precedent, especially when evidence is not clearly presented.
For more detailed analysis, you can read insights from experts on immigration law at the American Immigration Council.
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