Louisiana Judge Rules Against Activist Mahmoud Khalil in Deportation Hearing

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and activist, is facing deportation by the Trump administration, which bases its case on a letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleging he engaged in 'antisemitism.' During a recent court hearing, Khalil denied all charges, asserting that he is being targeted for his pro-Palestinian activism. The letter from Rubio, which lacks new evidence, cites a rarely invoked immigration provision allowing for deportation based on foreign policy concerns. Khalil's detention and deportation efforts have drawn criticism, with advocates arguing that they represent a violation of his due process rights and a broader attack on free speech. A judge has ordered the government to provide evidence for Khalil's deportation by a specified deadline, with his next hearing scheduled shortly. The case is seen as part of a trend to suppress dissent among activists critical of U.S. foreign policy.