A U.S. immigration judge has ordered the deportation of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent figure in the 2024 Gaza war protests at Columbia University, ruling that he misrepresented information on his green card application.

Judge Jamee Comans, presiding in Louisiana, said Khalil had “wilfully misrepresented material fact(s) for the sole purpose of circumventing the immigration process.” The order allows for his removal to either Algeria or Syria, though it remains unclear when deportation proceedings will begin.

Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident of Palestinian descent, has rejected the allegations. In a statement issued through the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), he described the ruling as politically motivated. “It is no surprise that the Trump administration continues to retaliate against me for my exercise of free speech,” he said.

Khalil first gained widespread attention during the Gaza conflict of 2024, when he emerged as a leading voice in campus demonstrations at Columbia University. His activism drew national media coverage and made him a visible figure in the broader pro-Palestinian movement across U.S. campuses.

Supporters argue that Khalil is being unfairly targeted because of his political views, pointing to a broader pattern of government pressure on student activists and immigrants linked to the Gaza protests. Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, have pledged to continue supporting his legal defense and appeal options.

The case has sparked sharp reactions among activists, with some framing it as an attack on free expression. Critics of the ruling say it sets a dangerous precedent for using immigration law as a tool of political retaliation.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials have defended the deportation order, insisting the case rests solely on legal grounds tied to omissions in Khalil’s residency paperwork. They maintain that his political activities did not influence the decision.

Khalil’s legal team is expected to file an appeal in the coming weeks, potentially delaying the deportation. If enforced, the order could see him sent to Algeria, where his parents were born, or Syria, where he also holds ties.

For now, Khalil remains in the U.S. under significant legal uncertainty, with his case highlighting the intersection of immigration law, political activism, and freedom of speech at a time of heightened tension over U.S. policy in the Middle East.