Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil says safe from deportation until November

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student and prominent leader of nationwide US campus protests, said he was temporarily safe from deportation to Algeria or Syria until November as he awaits a federal court decision in New Jersey.

Khalil told an audience at the Busboys and Poets bookstore in Washington on Thursday evening that a recent immigration judge's ruling ordering his removal had been issued "without a hearing at all", but that a separate federal court order continues to block his deportation.

"I am safe from deportation until November," Khalil said. "But they are trying everything, appealing every ruling in my case. They want to make me an example to deter others, citizens or non-citizens, from speaking out. I'm fortunate to have my legal team, but it took me more than 25 lawyers just to get bail - and there are millions of immigrants in this country without even one lawyer."

The remarks came two days after court documents revealed that an immigration judge in Louisiana had ordered Khalil deported to Algeria or alternatively Syria, citing alleged misrepresentations on his green card application.

Khalil, who is married to a US citizen and has a US-born son, has rejected the ruling as "retaliation" for his pro-Palestinian activism.

At the event moderated by US journalist Karen Attiah, Khalil said his hopes rest with the federal court in New Jersey, which has so far prevented his removal despite "politically motivated" immigration proceedings against him.

"The administration has been very clear in my case. They want to use me as a blueprint for going after anyone who opposes what they do and what they say," Khalil said. "First, they went after visa holders and green card holders, and now they're considering stripping US citizens of their passports."

Khalil, who was arrested by federal agents in March and held for more than 100 days in an immigration jail in Louisiana, described harsh detention conditions, saying he was confined with 70 others in a single room.

"I was under fluorescent lights 24/7, no sleep, no privacy, bad food, and the hardest thing was the stripping of humanity you could see in the eyes of people around you," he recalled.

The activist also expressed anger at Columbia University, which he accused of "betrayal" after years of studying there. He said Palestinian-related events faced double standards, citing restrictions on hosting speakers, and recalled being told by a senior university figure: "Divestment from Israel? That's not a topic we'll ever discuss."

Khalil drew laughter from the audience when he mocked the immigration court ruling, saying: "Yesterday, for the second time, a deportation order was issued against me. But I’m here to say I’m still here. It takes courage right now to stand up and speak our ideas without fear of retaliation."

He stressed that defending Palestine remained central to his activism.

"That has to be our priority regardless of the risks...It is a moral duty to do at least the minimum - stop sending weapons to Israel. They tried to remove me, to send me 1,400 miles away, but I came here to face them directly," he said.

The bookstore was packed with supporters who gave Khalil a minute-long standing ovation when he arrived.

Busboys and Poets founder Andy Shallal said Khalil had become a nationally recognised voice for the pro-Palestinian student movement since his abduction by federal agents and months-long detention.

In comments to The New Arab's Arabic edition, Khalil said he would not be silenced: "I am raising my voice so the administration fails in its goal of silencing dissent. Unfortunately, they’ve succeeded in spreading fear across the country, but that’s why I’m speaking now."

Khalil remains a lawful permanent resident of the United States while his appeal is pending. His attorneys have warned that deporting him to Algeria or Syria would put his life in grave danger.