• Mahmoud Khalil's deportation appeal was denied by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
• Khalil faces potential re-arrest, claiming the decision is politically motivated.
• His lawyers argue he should not be deported while pursuing a separate federal case.
• Khalil spent 104 days in immigration jail after his arrest linked to pro-Palestinian protests.
• The U.S. government alleges Khalil’s activities are connected to Hamas, which he strongly denies.

An immigration board has denied Mahmoud Khalil's appeal concerning his deportation case, moving him closer to potential re-arrest and expulsion from the United States. The Board of Immigration Appeals issued the final order of removal, although the board's rulings remain undisclosed to the public, according to Khalil's attorneys and NPR and Los Angeles Times.

Khalil expressed that he was unsurprised by the ruling, which he described as “biased and politically motivated.” He emphasized that he believed he has committed no crime, stating, “The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against the genocide in Palestine,” indicating that the current administration is utilizing the immigration system against him, according to India Times and Los Angeles Times.

Despite the ruling, Khalil's lawyers maintain that he cannot be lawfully detained or deported while they pursue a separate case in the federal court system. They intend to fight this decision vigorously, citing a lack of lawful basis for the deportation and calling it a politically driven act against his First Amendment rights, as reported by NPR and India Times.

Khalil, who is a 31-year-old legal permanent resident, was initially arrested during a federal crackdown on noncitizens voicing criticism against actions in Gaza. He spent 104 days in an immigration detention center, missing the birth of his first child. The U.S. government has accused Khalil of being aligned with Hamas due to his pro-Palestinian protests; however, no substantial evidence has been provided to support these claims. He was released from detention by a federal judge, although an appeals panel later ruled this release was not lawful, according to Los Angeles Times and India Times.

Born in Syria to a Palestinian family, Khalil holds Algerian citizenship through a distant relative. He has expressed fears for his safety if deported, indicating he could be targeted or even killed, highlighting the severe implications of his immigration status, as noted by Los Angeles Times and India Times.