A U.S. immigration appeals board has rejected Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil’s latest effort to dismiss his deportation case, advancing proceedings that could lead to his re-arrest and potential removal from the country. The Board of Immigration Appeals issued its final order on Thursday, according to Khalil’s legal team, though details of the decision remain confidential.

Khalil, a 31-year-old legal permanent resident and former Columbia University graduate student, called the ruling "biased and politically motivated." He and his attorneys maintain that he cannot be lawfully detained or deported while a separate federal court case remains pending.

Representing a prominent voice in the pro-Palestinian movement, Khalil first gained national attention in March 2025 when he was publicly arrested amid a government crackdown on noncitizens expressing criticism of Israel’s policies in Gaza. Authorities have alleged that Khalil’s protest activities at Columbia University were connected to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, though no evidence linking him directly to the group has been disclosed. Khalil denies these claims and has rejected accusations of antisemitism.

Following his arrest, Khalil spent 104 days in immigration detention, during which time he missed the birth of his first child. A federal judge in New Jersey later ordered his release, a ruling that was undermined earlier this year when a U.S. appellate panel determined the judge exceeded his authority. The appeals court held, in a 2-1 decision, that the immigration court process must be fully exhausted before federal judges can intervene.

Khalil’s lawyers have requested reconsideration by the full appellate panel and recently sought the recusal of one of the judges, citing the official’s prior involvement as a senior Justice Department investigator into protests similar to those Khalil led.

Born in Syria to a Palestinian family, Khalil also holds Algerian citizenship through a distant relative. He has expressed concerns about the possibility of persecution or worse if deported.

The Board of Immigration Appeals operates as the highest authority within the immigration court system, which falls under the Department of Justice. Critics note that the board’s decisions have increasingly reflected the priorities of the current administration. Efforts to reach the Department of Justice for comment on the recent ruling were not immediately successful.