U.S. Moves to Deport Pro-Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil 

United States: The U.S. government asserts that pro-Palestinian demonstrator Mahmoud Khalil failed to disclose his work at the United Nations Palestinian relief agency during his visa application which could lead to his deportation. 

UNRWA’s Role and U.S. Policy 

The United Nations relief agency named UNRWA serves Palestinian refugees through food aid and healthcare while acting as a key element in the current Israeli battles in Gaza. Twelve UNRWA employees reportedly participated in the Hamas operations against Israel on October 7 resulting in the United States ceasing financial support for the organization, as reported by Reuters. 

United States President Donald Trump’s administration took Khalil into custody as a prominent pro-Palestinian activist known for campus demonstrations then transferred him to Louisiana in order to deport him from the United States. 

"Trump is terrified of a student who protests & helps babies, moms & dads dying & starving under Netanyahu & Tump's carpet bombing people to minced corpses. Designating it 'Terrorist hunting'."–US alleges Columbia student covered up his work for UNRWA https://t.co/iVWkiw8Zg8

— Frances Lynch (@Frances29852239) March 24, 2025

Khalil’s Arrest and Legal Challenge 

Public criticism of America’s policies regarding Israeli control of Gaza has resulted in Khalil’s supporters viewing him as a target of free speech litigation. Through public statements Khalil identifies himself as a political prisoner. 

The United States government claims Khalil’s existence and activities would generate significant negative foreign policy effects. 

A federal court judge mandated that Khalil stay in the United States to await the outcome of his habeas petition challenging his detention. 

Khalil came to the U.S. in 2022 under a student visa after which he began his process to secure permanent resident status in 2024. 

The U.S. government presented its case in a Sunday court brief to keep Khalil detained until his removal proceedings finish by asserting that the U.S. District Court in New Jersey lacks jurisdiction to hear this habeas case. 

The government brief states that Khalil intentionally failed to disclose membership in particular organizations thus demonstrating grounds for deportation. 

Omissions and Legal Grounds for Removal 

On March 17 Khalil received a formal notification about deportation since he did not disclose his work as a political officer for UNRWA in 2023. 

An investigation by the U.N. in August discovered possible participation by nine staff members among the total workforce of 32,000 employees. 

The U.S. court documents filed against Khalil charged him with omission of his service at the British embassy present in Beirut while working for the Syria office and his official membership in Columbia University Apartheid Divest. 

Khalil’s attorneys failed to react to requests for comments regarding the matter. 

Criticism of the Deportation Effort 

According to the New York Times Ramie Kassem from the legal clinic CLEAR stated the new deportation basis presented “patently weak and pretextual” standards, as reported by Reuters. 

“That the government scrambled to add them at the 11th hour only highlights how its motivation from the start was to retaliate against Mr. Khalil for his protected speech in support of Palestinian rights and lives,” Kassem said, according to the Times.