Columbia Activist’s Deportation Case Relies Solely on Rubio Memo Alleging Antisemitism

Immigration judge to decide Friday if Mahmoud Khalil’s detention will continue, as the government provides no evidence beyond a memo citing foreign policy concerns.

Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and Columbia University activist, faces deportation based on a memo by Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleging antisemitism under an 'adverse foreign policy' provision.
The government’s filing includes no additional evidence or allegations beyond Rubio’s memo, which claims Khalil’s presence undermines U.S. foreign policy objectives.
Khalil’s legal team argues the case is a suppression of free speech, citing the lack of evidence and the targeting of his pro-Palestinian advocacy.
An immigration judge is set to rule Friday on whether the government’s evidence is sufficient to justify Khalil’s continued detention or deportation.
The case is part of broader Trump administration actions against campus dissent, including visa revocations and funding cuts aimed at critics of U.S. policies on Israel.