DHS: Mahmoud Khalil Will be Deported to Algeria
No exact date for Khalil's re-arrest has been announced, but DHS indicates enforcement is forthcoming. Khalil's legal team has until April 2026 to appeal the underlying deportation order, though the appeals court ruling accelerates the process.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Syrian-born pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student, will be re-arrested and deported to Algeria. The move follows a recent federal appeals court ruling that cleared the path for his removal, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to target foreign nationals involved in campus protests against Israel's actions in Gaza.
DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the development in an interview with NewsNation's Katie Pavlich on Wednesday, stating: “It looks like he’ll go to Algeria. That’s what the thought is right now.” She framed the deportation as a broader warning to immigrants, adding, “It’s a reminder for those who are in this country on a visa or a green card, you are a guest in this country; act like it. It is a privilege, not a right, to be in this country to live or to study, and if you are pushing propaganda that relishes the killings of Americans or promotes terrorists, the door’s that way.”
Khalil, 30, an Algerian citizen born to Palestinian parents in a refugee camp in Syria, has been a focal point of controversy since his arrest in March 2025. He holds a U.S. green card, granting lawful permanent residency, but the Trump administration revoked his protections under executive orders aimed at combating what it describes as "anti-Semitism" and support for designated terrorist groups like Hamas.
Khalil arrived in the U.S. in January 2023 to pursue a master's degree in public administration at Columbia, where he emerged as a key organizer and negotiator in the 2024 pro-Palestinian encampments protesting Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
The administration accuses Khalil of leading "activities aligned to Hamas," including advocating for violence, glorifying terrorists, harassing Jewish individuals, and damaging property, claims his lawyers vehemently deny as baseless retaliation for his free speech.
No criminal charges have been filed, and supporters argue the case exemplifies a chilling effect on dissent, particularly among foreign students.
Timeline of Key Events
March 8-9, 2025: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detain Khalil in the lobby of his Manhattan residence without a warrant. DHS spokesperson McLaughlin later confirms the arrest aligns with President Trump's executive orders targeting "pro-jihadist" protesters.
He is transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana and held for over 100 days.
June 20, 2025: A federal judge in Louisiana orders Khalil's release on bail, citing jurisdictional issues. He files a $20 million claim against the administration for wrongful detention and alleged violations of his First Amendment rights.
September 2025: Immigration Judge Jamee Comans rules Khalil deportable to Algeria (via distant familial citizenship) or Syria, finding he omitted affiliations with certain organizations on his green card application. The judge denies a waiver, deeming the omissions intentional fraud.
Khalil's team appeals, while a separate New Jersey federal court temporarily blocks deportation pending review of constitutional claims.
January 15, 2026: The U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals overturns the district court's release order in a 2-1 decision, ruling it lacked jurisdiction. The case is remanded for dismissal, effectively allowing ICE to re-detain Khalil.
McLaughlin urges him to "self-deport" via a CBP app to avoid permanent bans.
January 22, 2026: McLaughlin confirms deportation to Algeria is imminent, emphasizing the "privilege" of U.S. residency and warning against promoting terrorism.
Khalil's attorneys have decried the proceedings as a "kangaroo court" and politically motivated, vowing further appeals. They argue deportation to Syria could endanger his life amid ongoing conflict, while Algeria poses risks due to his limited ties there.
President Trump hail Khalil's impending deporation as upholding national security and combating anti-Semitism. Mayor Mamdani's father Mahmoud argues it threatens free speech and sets a dangerous precedent for immigrants exercising constitutional rights.