Pressed for evidence, US government cites authority to deport Mahmoud Khalil over beliefs

The Trump administration has filed a brief memo in response to an immigration judge ’s request for evidence in its bid to deport Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil .

The memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, argues that Khalil’s continued presence in the US could harm foreign policy objectives, specifically the country’s efforts to combat anti-Semitism . It claims that while Khalil’s activism was lawful, allowing him to stay would undermine policies to protect Jewish students and combat anti-Semitism both in the US and globally.

The memo does not accuse Khalil of any criminal activity. Rather, it centers around his pro-Palestinian activism , specifically his role as a spokesperson for protests against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Rubio’s submission, filed Wednesday, claims that Khalil's activities, though lawful, threaten US interests. He wrote that condoning Khalil's actions could “severely undermine” US foreign policy goals related to anti-Semitism.


Khalil’s attorneys have argued that the Trump administration is attempting to stifle his free speech regarding Palestine. They contend that the government's case against him is baseless. In a statement, lawyers Marc Van Der Hout and Johnny Sinodis declared, “There is not a single shred of proof that Mahmoud’s presence in America poses any threat,” referring to his arrest and detention in Louisiana after being taken from New York in early March.

The memo also calls for the deportation of another US permanent resident, though the person’s identity is not disclosed. Despite references in the memo to other supporting documents, including a “subject profile” of Khalil, these have not been submitted to the immigration court.

Khalil, who is 30 years old and a Palestinian-born Syrian national, has firmly rejected allegations of anti-Semitism. In a letter from jail, he accused the administration of targeting him as part of a larger effort to suppress dissent. He also expressed his desire to be freed to witness the birth of his first child, noting, “I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child.”


Meanwhile, the Trump administration has been engaged in a broader campaign against anti-Semitism on university campuses, though critics argue it is an attack on free speech. In recent weeks, the government has withheld funding from universities, demanding they punish protesters and make other changes in exchange for reinstating the funding.

Khalil’s case is part of a larger trend where US authorities have revoked visas and taken action against international students and activists critical of Israel or its treatment of Palestinians. Khalil’s lawyers argue that no evidence has been presented linking him to Hamas, a militant group that has been central to the government’s justification for his detention. The latest filing makes no mention of Hamas.

In a related case, another Columbia University student, Yunseo Chung, faces similar deportation efforts. Chung, who was arrested during a pro-Palestinian sit-in at Barnard College, is fighting her deportation in court. Her attorneys included Rubio’s letter in court filings, seeking access to any documents that would shed light on the government’s decision to target her for deportation.