- The federal government submitted evidence Wednesday to support the deportation of former Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. A letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued Khalil’s actions harm U.S. foreign policy and undermine efforts to combat antisemitism.
- Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, is accused of organizing pro-Palestinian protests.
- Critics say the move violates his First Amendment rights.
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The federal government met a federal judge’s request to provide evidence for deporting former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil.
Federal government cites foreign policy risks, antisemitism concerns
In a letter submitted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio Wednesday, April 9, the Trump administration argued Khalil’s public actions and continued presence in the United States “would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”
The letter also states Khalil’s activities undermine U.S. policy to combat antisemitism.
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Immigration authorities arrested Khalil, a green card holder married to a U.S. citizen, in early March, claiming he was a prominent figure in organizing Columbia University’s pro-Palestinian protests on campus last year.
The memo, however, doesn’t allege any criminal acts by Khalil. Instead, Rubio states that Khalil could be deported for his “past, current, or expected beliefs,” even if they’re lawful. Rubio also stated that he has the authority to determine if a migrant’s “presence” would compromise U.S. foreign policy interests.
The Trump administration previously claimed that Khalil intentionally misrepresented information on his green card application. The memo did not address those previous claims.
The U.S. State Department revoked Khalil’s green card, arguing he’s a “pro-Hamas” sympathizer who poses a risk to national security.
In March, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting Khalil. On Tuesday, April 8, an immigration judge in Louisiana told the Trump administration to produce evidence to support Khalil’s deportation within 24 hours.
Secretary Rubio submitted that letter into evidence by Wednesday afternoon.
In his letter, Rubio made no mention or connection of Khalil being linked to the Hamas terror group.
The memo also included a redacted name of another person. Rubio argued that person should also be deported for the same reasons as Khalil.
Critics argue First Amendment rights under attack
Rubio has said more than 300 student visas have been revoked for international students.
“If you come to this country as a student, we expect you to go to class and study and get a degree. If you come here to like vandalize a library, take over a campus and do all kinds of crazy things, you know, we’re going to get rid of these people. And we’re going to continue to do it. So when we identify lunatics like these, we take away their student visa. No one’s entitled to a student visa,” Rubio said during a Cabinet meeting Thursday.
Critics of Khalil’s arrest said the Trump administration is violating the U.S. Constitution, calling Khalil’s detention and possible deportation an attack on First Amendment rights.
Has Khalil’s legal team responded?
Khalil’s legal team criticized Rubio’s letter, arguing it does not meet the standard of proving Khalil’s actions compromise U.S. foreign policy interests.
Instead, his attorney said the Trump administration wants to silence those who disagree with the Israeli or U.S. government, saying this case is a “dangerous slope” and Khalil will fight it until the end.
“What the Rubio letter talks about is they’re trying to protect, they say, Jewish students in the United States, Jewish people in the United States from antisemitism,” Marc Van Der Hout, Khalil’s attorney, said during a Zoom meeting Thursday. “But what is the antisemitism? It is criticizing Israel and the United States for the slaughtering that is going on in Gaza and in Palestine.”
The immigration judge will rule Friday, April 11, whether Khalil will be deported or go free.
