Mahmoud Khalil Challenges Trump Administration Deportation Efforts

Former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and Palestinian activist, is engaged in a legal battle to prevent deportation to Algeria. Khalil was arrested by plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in March 2025 and held for 104 days in a Louisiana detention center. The Trump administration, via Secretary of State Marco Rubio, initially claimed Khalil's presence posed adverse foreign policy consequences and accused him of promoting antisemitism.

Although a federal judge ordered his release on bail in June 2025, the Department of Homeland Security later shifted its strategy to revoke his green card, alleging he omitted employment history with the British Embassy and a U.N. agency. Khalil denies these claims, citing evidence that the government had previously verified his application as correct. A January 2026 ruling by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals further complicated his case by determining that immigration proceedings must be completed before federal courts address the merits of such detentions.

On March 9, 2026, Khalil held a press conference and rally at Columbia University to mark the anniversary of his arrest. He criticized the university for failing to support him and for protecting the interests of its Board of Trustees over academic freedom. Columbia University officials denied coordinating with ICE and stated they support students' right to protest. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has repeatedly called on President Donald Trump to drop the case and allow Khalil to remain in the city.