Authorities recordsdata memo in case in opposition to Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil when requested to supply proof
Confronted with a deadline to supply proof in its deportation case in opposition to activist Mahmoud Khalil, legal professionals for the federal authorities as an alternative filed a memorandum by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to a Louisiana immigration courtroom.
Within the memo, which was obtained by CBS Information, Rubio wrote that Khalil’s position in protests on the campus of Columbia College is in battle with American international coverage targets. Rubio didn’t cite particular proof in opposition to Khalil. He acknowledged that Khalil is deportable beneath a little-known statute in federal immigration regulation that gives the federal government is entitled to deport noncitizens whose presence within the U.S. damages nationwide international coverage pursuits.
Rubio argued that the presence of Khalil, a 30-year-old authorized everlasting resident, undermines “U.S. coverage to fight anti-Semitism all over the world and in the USA, along with efforts to guard Jewish college students from harassment and violence in the USA.”
Khalil was a outstanding voice within the spring 2024 pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia College, the place he earned a grasp’s diploma from the College of Worldwide and Public Affairs in December 2024. He was detained by federal immigration authorities at his university-owned condominium as his pregnant spouse seemed on. He was moved from New York to a detention middle in New Jersey earlier than being flown to a distant facility in Jena, Louisiana.
The federal government claims that Khalil has supported Hamas, and could be deported whether it is decided his presence and actions threaten the international coverage pursuits of the U.S., citing alleged help for Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group. Thus far, CBS Information has not discovered proof that Khalil has mentioned he helps Hamas.
Assistant chief immigration Decide Jamee Comans on Tuesday mentioned she would terminate the case until the federal government confirmed proof supporting the removing of the previous Columbia scholar. Khalil’s lawyer Marc Van Der Hout mentioned on the listening to that he had “not obtained a single doc” of proof from the federal government.
“I would prefer to see the proof,” Comans mentioned, demanding that the federal government make a submitting inside 24 hours.
In response, the Division of Homeland Safety submitted the two-page memo from Rubio, which incorporates references to Khalil and one different lawful everlasting resident whose identify was redacted.
Rubio wrote that they need to be faraway from the nation as a result of their “presence or actions would compromise a compelling U.S. international coverage curiosity.”
“The international coverage of the USA champions core American pursuits and Americans,” he continued, “and condoning anti-Semitic conduct and disruptive protests in the USA would severely undermine that vital international coverage goal.”
Rubio pointed to Khalil’s participation in what he descirbed as “antisemitic protests and disruptive actions,” which he mentioned creates a “hostile surroundings for Jewish college students,” in addition to “illegal exercise” throughout these protests.
“The federal government cannot simply function on hidden regulation based mostly on one govt official’s say so,” mentioned Baher Azmy, Authorized Director of the Middle of Constitutional Rights throughout a press name about Khalil on Thursday. “Does anybody right here know what conduct they must have interaction in that will set off an adversarial international coverage curiosity to The USA? Nobody does. Nobody can. Which is what’s so harmful about this regulation.”
Comans has set a removability listening to for Khalil on Friday at 1 p.m., at which she may decide whether or not enough proof has been offered to help the continuation of his immigration case.
The federal government had beforehand mentioned Khalil ought to be expelled for what it is described as “materials help” for the militant group Hamas through his position in campus protests in opposition to Israel.
Khalil’s attorneys, who’ve additionally sued the federal government on his behalf, lambasted the federal government, saying the federal government was depriving him of his proper to free speech.
“After a month of hiding the ball since Mahmoud’s late-night unjust arrest in New York and taking him away to a distant detention middle in Louisiana, immigration authorities have lastly admitted that they haven’t any case in anyway in opposition to him,” mentioned Van Der Hout. “As a substitute, the federal government is clearly going after Mahmoud and persecuting him for exercising his First Modification rights.”
After Khalil’s arrest, President Trump mentioned it was simply the primary “of many to come back.” His assertion heralded a crackdown on college students and alleged “agitators” who’ve protested in opposition to Israel.
International-born college students throughout the nation have since confronted the knocks of immigration brokers on the door, and deportation proceedings.
“If the secretary of state claims the facility to arrest, detain and deport somebody, together with a lawful everlasting resident, just because that particular person dissents from US international coverage, there aren’t any limits. There is no starting and no finish to that form of govt energy,” mentioned Johnny Sinodis, an lawyer for Khalil’s immigration case.
“This isn’t a routine immigration case and even routine habeas case,” he added. “This case is deliberately projecting a message of repression about who can say what on this nation and the results to your liberty and your life in case you object to U.S. coverage.”
