An immigration judge has determined that Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil should be deported to either Algeria or Syria, citing deliberate falsehoods on his green card application.
Khalil, who is not a U.S. citizen but holds a green card, was previously detained by officials under President Donald Trump, who sought his deportation.
Despite the Trump administration's initial failure to deport Khalil as a national security threat, Immigration Judge Jamee Comans found the allegations of dishonesty on his green card application compelling. As reported by Western Journal, Comans, who presides in Jena, Louisiana, has ordered Khalil's deportation within 30 days.
Khalil's legal team has expressed their intention to appeal this decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Judge Comans ruled that Khalils omissions on his I-485 form, which is used to apply for permanent residency, were intentional. She stated that Khalil willfully misrepresented material fact(s) for the sole purpose of circumventing the immigration process and reducing the likelihood his application would be denied, as noted by Axios.
Comans emphasized that the court cannot condone such actions by granting a waiver, as it would set a precedent encouraging future applicants to misrepresent facts.
Fox News highlighted that Khalil failed to disclose his internship with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and his involvement with Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a group critical of Israel. Khalil's attorneys have reached out to U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz, requesting an order to prevent Khalil's removal while a habeas corpus case is pending.
They argued that the court's intervention is the only significant barrier to Khalil's deportation.
Khalil has criticized the Trump administration, accusing it of retaliating against him for exercising free speech. 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, he stated.
Khalil further accused the administration of fabricating allegations to silence him, asserting, Such fascist tactics will never deter me from continuing to advocate for my peoples liberation.
The case raises questions about the balance between national security concerns and individual rights, particularly in the context of free speech and political activism. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome may have broader implications for immigration policy and the treatment of activists within the United States.
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