Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Navigates Deportation Battle Amid Shifting Political Climate
Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian student activist who became a symbol of the 2024 US campus protests, finds himself at a critical juncture in his fight against deportation. Despite facing grim circumstances, Khalil maintains his resolve, recently walking through the halls of Congress to advocate for his case and broader immigration justice.
From Campus Activist to ICE Target
Khalil first gained national attention nearly a year ago when he became the first high-profile apprehension by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following Donald Trump's return to office. In March, he was detained at his New York City apartment complex due to his advocacy at Columbia University for Palestinian rights and against American involvement in Israel's military actions in Gaza.
"Now it's easier to make my case because they've seen the illegal actions and the unlawful action of DHS and ICE," Khalil stated during recent congressional meetings. "They know they went too far."
Public Opinion Shifts Against ICE
The political landscape has transformed significantly since Khalil's initial detention. What was once viewed as tough border enforcement is increasingly perceived as government overreach. Recent polling data reveals a dramatic shift in public sentiment:
- A February Marist poll found that a majority of Americans now believe ICE has exceeded its authority
- ICE approval ratings have dropped to historic lows
- January surveys show growing concern about due process violations in immigration enforcement
- Increasing skepticism about aggressive detention policies that separate families
"I was the first to be called a terrorist sympathizer," Khalil reflected, recalling the rhetoric used by Trump as he was transported to a Louisiana detention center while his wife was eight months pregnant. "Now this administration has used it against anyone who was protesting against them in the streets."
Legal Battles with Far-Reaching Implications
Khalil's case extends beyond his personal circumstances, potentially affecting thousands of immigrants nationwide. A January third circuit court of appeals decision in his habeas corpus case has sent shockwaves through immigration law circles. The three-judge panel ruled that federal district courts lack jurisdiction over his case while he remains in removal proceedings.
"People cannot challenge their removal or the removal proceedings or the reasons they are going to be removed from the country until their case works its way fully through the immigration system," explained Amy Greer, one of Khalil's attorneys. "What that means is they have no access to justice, or any kind of meaningful review of why they were in removal proceedings, until that whole case proceeds."
The decision becomes particularly concerning given the political control over immigration agencies. "The judge, the prosecutors in the case, the Board of Immigration Appeals, USCIS – all of these people work for Pam Bondi," Greer noted, referring to the US attorney general and Trump ally.
Complex Legal Landscape
Khalil's case exists simultaneously in two court systems. His habeas petition challenging his detention was filed in New Jersey, where he was briefly held before transfer to Louisiana. Meanwhile, his immigration case proceeds in Louisiana, where an immigration judge ordered his deportation in September 2025.
Khalil endured 104 days of detention, during which his wife gave birth to their first child, now 10 months old. He was released in June 2025 after federal judge Michael Farbiarz ruled his detention unconstitutional, finding he was neither a flight risk nor a community threat. The government has appealed that decision.
Congressional Support and Changing Dynamics
During recent Washington visits, Khalil met with progressive Democrats including Delia Ramirez of Illinois, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Summer Lee of Pennsylvania. Ramirez agreed during their meeting that the government "must" drop the entire case.
Even Republican lawmakers who previously championed deportation powers now face uncomfortable questions about due process, making support for ICE increasingly politically risky. Congressional offices report surging constituent calls about ICE raids at schools and hospitals.
"The actions that they did against me were by design, by this administration, all the lies that were spread: now they're spreading them about other people," Khalil observed. "Now, it's about raising the alarm."
As Khalil continues his legal battle, his case represents not just one man's struggle against deportation, but a broader test of immigration enforcement practices and constitutional protections in an increasingly polarized political environment.
