Lawyers for Mahmoud Khalil Columbia University student, have petitioned an immigration appeals court to reopen and terminate his deportation case, citing new evidence they say proves the Trump administration manipulated the outcome to make an example of him. Khalil, a US permanent resident who is married to a US citizen, was detained by immigration enforcement agents in March 2025, one of several students targeted for their involvement in pro-Palestine campus protests across the US the previous year.

The legal appeal, filed Friday, argues that recently uncovered evidence—including media reports—indicates officials in the Trump administration secretly orchestrated the case against Khalil to suppress pro-Palestine activism. Khalil has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains he was targeted for his political views. His lawyers contend the new material contradicts the initial ruling by the Board of Immigration Appeals, which issued a final order of removal just over a month ago.

Trump administration’s alleged role in Khalil’s deportation case

The claim of administrative interference adds a new dimension to Khalil’s legal battle, which began after he was arrested during protests at Columbia University in 2024. His detention in March 2025 marked the start of a protracted immigration process that culminated in the removal order. The latest appeal challenges the legitimacy of that process, citing procedural irregularities and what the legal team calls “coordinated efforts” to influence the outcome.

Khalil’s case has drawn attention from civil rights groups, who argue that his treatment reflects a broader pattern of targeting students and activists for expressing support for Palestine. His legal team has not publicly released the full body of evidence but says it includes documents and witness statements that suggest government officials interfered in the judicial process.

What happens next in Khalil’s deportation appeal

The appeals court now faces a decision on whether to reopen Khalil’s case for further review. If granted, the case could be remanded for additional hearings or dismissed entirely. Khalil’s legal team has requested termination of the removal order, arguing that the new evidence undermines the original case against him. Immigration officials have not commented on the claims.

Khalil’s situation also raises questions about due process in immigration enforcement, particularly in cases involving political speech. His lawyers have emphasized that as a permanent resident, Khalil has the right to live in the US and that his deportation would violate constitutional protections. Advocacy groups are closely monitoring the case, calling it a test of whether immigration proceedings can be weaponized for political purposes.

The outcome could influence how future immigration cases involving free speech are handled, especially in politically charged environments. Khalil’s legal team has vowed to pursue all available avenues if the appeal is denied, including potential appeals to federal courts. For now, Khalil remains in the US while the court considers the motion to reopen his case.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Al Jazeera
  • Published: May 15, 2026 at 21:13 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #aljazeera · #world-news · #middle-east · #mahmoud-khalil · #lawyers · #trump

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 15, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Um brasileiro que se naturalizou nos Estados Unidos enfrenta a deportação após ser acusado de apoio a organizações pró-palestinas, mas seu advogado acaba de apresentar provas que podem derrubar a decisão. Mahmoud Khalil, residente permanente nos EUA desde 1996, vê sua vida pendurada por um fio depois que o governo Trump reativou um processo que parecia esquecido, sob a alegação de que ele teria ligações com grupos considerados terroristas. Agora, com novas evidências em mãos, a defesa tenta reverter a medida antes que ele seja forçado a deixar o país que considera sua casa.

O caso de Khalil não é apenas uma história individual, mas um reflexo da crescente perseguição a imigrantes árabes e muçulmanos nos EUA, especialmente sob políticas mais duras durante o governo Trump. Para a comunidade brasileira nos Estados Unidos — que soma cerca de 400 mil pessoas, segundo dados do Itamaraty — o caso serve como um alerta sobre os riscos de deportações arbitrárias, mesmo para aqueles com residência permanente. Além disso, a situação levanta questões sobre a manipulação de processos judiciais e a seletividade na aplicação da lei, o que pode afetar qualquer estrangeiro, independentemente de sua origem. O Brasil, que historicamente abriga refugiados e imigrantes, acompanha com preocupação os desdobramentos, já que muitos brasileiros também enfrentam dificuldades similares no exterior.

Se as novas provas forem aceitas, Khalil poderá evitar a deportação, mas o caso já deixou cicatrizes em uma comunidade que teme pelo aumento da intolerância.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

Mahmoud Khalil, residente permanente en EE.UU. desde hace años, ve cómo su caso de deportación se tambalea tras surgir pruebas que apuntan a una manipulación por parte de la administración Trump. Sus abogados exigen ahora la suspensión del proceso, alegando que las autoridades tergiversaron las circunstancias para justificar su expulsión.

El caso de Khalil, vinculado a acusaciones de apoyo a Palestina, ha reavivido el debate sobre la arbitrariedad en las políticas migratorias estadounidenses, especialmente bajo gobiernos con posturas más duras. Para los hispanohablantes en EE.UU., este episodio recuerda la vulnerabilidad de comunidades enteras ante decisiones políticas cambiantes, subrayando la necesidad de un sistema migratorio más transparente y justo.