Who is Mahmoud Khalil and why is Trump trying to deport him?

By Ryan Denison PhD - Posted at the Denison Forum:

Published March 13, 2025

"The president signed an executive order during his second week in office intended to 'combat antisemitism' on college campuses by threatening deportations and revoking visas of those who engage in such behavior. Yet it remains unclear whether that order gives the government the authority to arrest people without officially charging them with a crime—a step that, as of this writing, they have not taken with Khalil—or deport people for their speech."

Yesterday, a court ruled that Mahmoud Khalil—the Columbia University graduate who was arrested on Saturday for his role in pro-Palestine protests—will remain imprisoned in Louisiana while his case plays out in court. He is not, however, “in immediate danger of deportation” according to Department of Justice attorney Brandon Waterman.

Given the way Khalil’s case has been adjudicated in the court of public opinion, Waterman’s statement may come as a surprise to many. That said, it may not take long for his case to come to a conclusion.

Khalil is scheduled to appear before an immigration judge in Louisiana on March 27, though his lawyers are working to get him moved back to New York in the meantime. It’s possible that should they succeed, his trial will occur closer to his home there. And, if the scene outside the courtroom yesterday is any indication, he’d find himself amongst a much more sympathetic crowd.

But before we go any further, let’s take a step back and discuss a bit more about who Mahmoud Khalil is and why his case has generated such strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

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