January 1, Judge Orders Deportation After Columbia Protest

Wyatt’s Take

• Immigration judge rules Mahmoud Khalil must leave the country
• Khalil’s participation in campus protests raised national attention
• Green card dishonesty led to deportation decision

Federal authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil in New York after he joined pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University earlier this year.

A Louisiana immigration judge issued an order for Khalil’s removal to Algeria or Syria, citing issues with his green card application.

The judge found that Khalil “willfully misrepresented material fact(s) for the sole purpose of circumventing the immigration process and reducing the likelihood his applications could be denied. This Court cannot and will not condone such an action by granting a discretionary waiver.”

Following Khalil’s arrest, the president posted that his administration “will not tolerate” what he called “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American” activity on college campuses. He stated Khalil is “pro-Hamas” and that his team would “find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country.”

Khalil was released from detention in June but now faces deportation. His lawyers have 30 days to appeal the decision.

Khalil responded, “It is no surprise that the Trump administration continues to retaliate against me for my exercise of free speech. Their latest attempt, through a kangaroo immigration court, exposes their true colors once again.”

Source

Wyatt Matters

This case is a reminder that honesty and respect for the law are crucial for anyone seeking to live in America. Middle America values fairness and expects accountability when rules are broken, especially on serious issues like immigration.