Overview

• Louisiana immigration judge Jamee Comans issued a Sept. 12 order finding Khalil willfully misrepresented material facts on his I-485 and denying a waiver, directing removal to Syria or Algeria.
• The decision cites alleged omissions about an UNRWA internship, ties to Columbia University Apartheid Divest, and prior employment with the British Embassy in Beirut.
• Filings unsealed Wednesday revealed the ruling and note that Khalil’s attorneys plan to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals within 30 days.
• U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz has blocked removal and ordered Khalil’s release since June while reviewing his claim that the government retaliated against protected speech.
• The government earlier pursued removal under a foreign-policy provision supported by a determination from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which civil liberties groups and Khalil’s team call a pretext for targeting his advocacy.