Columbia Protest Leader Denies Allegations as Deportation Proceedings Continue

Mahmoud Khalil, identified as the leader of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, denied all accusations against him during a court hearing on Tuesday. The Trump administration is seeking his deportation due to his involvement in these protests.

The hearing took place at the LaSalle Immigration Court in Jena, Louisiana. Khalil was present with his legal team as the government pursued his deportation. He is currently held at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center, a facility located a significant distance from New Orleans.

Approximately 35 people attended the hearing, including Khalil's wife, Noor Abdalla. Several attendees wore pro-Palestinian scarves. At the end of the hearing, Khalil acknowledged them.

The Department of Homeland Security has a deadline to submit evidence supporting Khalil's deportation. His next hearing is scheduled for a later date.

Khalil, a 30-year-old green card holder married to a U.S. citizen, was detained by ICE last month. This detention was a result of his participation in the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.

A judge has ruled that future hearings will be held in New Jersey, rather than Louisiana. Khalil's attorney has alleged that federal prosecutors moved the case to Louisiana in an attempt to gain a more favorable outcome.

The hearing followed the publication of an opinion piece by Khalil in the university's newspaper. In the piece, he accused the institution of contributing to his potential deportation.

He compared the crackdown on anti-Israel protesters to Columbia's perceived indifference towards Palestinians, referencing other students who have faced similar situations. Khalil drew parallels between his current situation and his past experiences fleeing Syria. He also accused Columbia administrators of creating a climate of fear regarding antisemitism while ignoring the suffering of Palestinians.

Khalil was detained in New York City in early March. He is the first individual targeted in the Trump administration's efforts to revoke student visas for protest participation. The Department of Homeland Security has alleged that he was involved in activities linked to Hamas.

The anti-Israel protests caused disruption on college campuses following the October 7, 2023 attacks. This led to a campaign promise.

A statement from the White House included a warning to non-citizens who participated in the protests, stating that they would be identified and deported. The statement also indicated an intention to cancel the student visas of individuals who sympathize with Hamas.