Mahmoud Khalil to Appeal to Supreme Court in Effort to Halt Deportation
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal appeals court declined to review Mahmoud Khalil’s case, prompting his legal team to plan an immediate appeal to the Supreme Court to prevent his deportation.
- Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and legal permanent resident, was arrested last March amid President Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests, with the government accusing him of spreading antisemitism.
- His lawyers argue that the case violates the First Amendment and have criticized the administration’s unsubstantiated claims, emphasizing that criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitic.
- The Third Circuit’s decision was narrowly split, with six judges denying review and five dissenting, warning that the ruling threatens civil liberties for Khalil and other noncitizens.
- Even if deported, Khalil’s case is expected to continue in court, with his legal team seeking Supreme Court intervention to halt the deportation process and address the constitutional issues involved.