Lawyers for Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student targeted for deportation by the US regime over his pro-Palestine advocacy, have filed an appeal calling for the case to be reopened and terminated. New evidence suggests the Trump administration allegedly manipulated the immigration proceedings to make an example of him.

A New York Times report revealed that Khalil's case was flagged as high priority before reaching the Board of Immigration Appeals, indicating it was fast-tracked. The report also found that the court was instructed to treat the case as if Khalil were still in detention, which typically expedites processing. Khalil was released in June 2025 after a federal judge's order, but an appeals court later ruled the judge lacked jurisdiction.

Three judges on the Board of Immigration Appeals recused themselves, a rare occurrence that experts say undermines the board's independence. The board falls under the Department of Justice, making it vulnerable to executive interference, unlike other federal courts.

The Trump regime has framed Khalil's deportation as part of a crackdown on anti-Semitism but has presented no evidence. Khalil has never been charged with a crime. The Intercept reported that the FBI closed an investigation into a tip about Khalil, finding it unwarranted.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked a rarely used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allowing deportation based on lawful beliefs or associations deemed a national security threat. The regime later added a claim that Khalil failed to disclose past work for UNRWA on his immigration application.

Khalil's lawyers argue the regime's actions constitute misconduct and a violation of due process. Khalil stated, 'No lies, corruption, or ideological persecution will stop me from advocating for Palestine and for everyone’s right to free speech.' The case raises serious questions about free speech and the politicization of immigration courts.

Source: www.aljazeera.com