US court hands Trump victory against pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete January 15, 2026 at 04:55 PM

AI Summary

short article 2 min

A US appeals court has dismissed a petition by pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil challenging his detention and deportation, a victory for the Trump administration. The ruling reverses a previous order for Khalil's release, potentially allowing his re-arrest. Khalil, a Syrian-born Algerian citizen and legal US resident married to an American citizen, was detained while pursuing a graduate degree at Columbia University. He is one of several foreign students targeted for deportation by the Trump administration for criticizing Israel. The court sided with the government's argument that immigration courts have sole jurisdiction over the case, citing the Immigration and Nationality Act. Khalil's lawyers are expected to appeal the decision.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Syria 30% Algeria 30% Benjamin Netanyahu 40% Hamas 40% Columbia University 40% Israel ×250% Donald Trump ×270% United States ×280% Mahmoud Khalil ×590%

Keywords

mahmoud khalil 100% immigration detention 90% deportation 80% pro-palestine activist 80% us court 70% trump administration 70% habeas corpus 60% free speech rights 60% immigration and nationality act 50% criticism of israel 50%