An immigration judge has ordered pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil to be deported to either Algeria or Syria. The decision followed claims that Khalil failed to disclose information on his green card application. Khalil’s legal team plans to challenge the ruling, though they acknowledge the appeal process is unlikely to succeed.

The deportation order, issued by immigration judge Jamee Comans, comes despite a separate federal court in New Jersey blocking Khalil’s removal while his case is reviewed. Khalil’s lawyers argue that his detention and potential deportation constitute unlawful retaliation for his Palestinian advocacy.

Khalil, a native of Syria and an Algerian citizen of Palestinian origin, was arrested in March 2023 during the Trump administration’s crackdown on foreign-born pro-Palestinian academics. He was detained in Louisiana after being taken from his Manhattan residence. No criminal charges have been filed against him.

The judge ruled that Khalil willfully misrepresented material facts on his green card application, including ties to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a group advocating economic boycotts of Israel. The decision cited “lack of candor” by the applicant.

Khalil is married to a U.S. citizen and has a U.S.-born son. His legal team stated they have 30 days from September 12 to appeal the ruling to the Board of Immigration Appeals, with expectations that the process will be “swift.” They also noted that further appeals to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals are unlikely to halt his deportation, as such courts rarely grant stays for noncitizens.

Khalil has expressed fears of being targeted by Israel due to his activism if deported to Algeria or Syria. The judge’s order explicitly stated he must be removed from the United States to one of those countries.