- Green card holder detained since March 2024 without arrest warrant
- DHS alleges foreign policy risks and employment history discrepancies
- 600+ pages of evidence challenge antisemitism accusations
- Newborn son remains separated by detention center barriers
Mahmoud Khalil's immigration hearing Thursday represents a critical juncture for both due process protections and immigrant rights. The Palestinian activist, legally residing in the U.S. since 2015 through marriage to Dr. Noor Abdalla, faces removal based on unsubstantiated national security claims. Immigration Judge Jamee Comans previously ruled Khalil deportable citing Secretary Rubio's assertions, despite declining to review supporting evidence – a decision legal experts call unprecedented in Louisiana's Eastern District Court.
Khalil's defense team presents three-pronged arguments challenging procedural irregularities. Columbia University employment records obtained from five former supervisors directly contradict DHS allegations of application fraud. These claims originated from speculative tabloid reports, not verified sources,stated lead attorney Amira Hassan, referencing submissions countering conservative media narratives about campus protest funding.
The case highlights growing tensions between immigration enforcement and First Amendment protections. Since 2022, Louisiana's detention facilities have seen 43% increase in activists facing removal under INA 237(a)(4)(D) – a statute historically reserved for espionage cases. Comparative analysis reveals Texas courts dismissed 68% of similar foreign policy consequence claims last quarter, while Louisiana maintained 89% deportation rate.
Medical professionals warn prolonged separation threatens infant bonding. Denying parental contact violates basic human rights,argued Dr. Elias Farhat in submitted testimony. The family's habeas corpus petition cites 2023 Fifth Circuit rulings requiring modified visitation for nursing mothers – a precedent ICE has yet to implement at Pine Prairie Center.
Regional immigration patterns show increased scrutiny of Middle Eastern applicants. New Orleans field office processed 212% more deportation orders citing INA 212(a)(3)(C) in 2024 compared to 2021. Legal scholars suggest this reflects evolving diplomatic priorities rather than individual conduct assessments.
As the hearing commences, human rights organizations monitor potential due process violations. The ACLU's Louisiana chapter recently documented 19 cases where immigration judges accepted unverified State Department assertions. With asylum approval rates at record-low 14% nationally, Khalil's evidentiary burden remains formidable despite extensive documentation of Syria's persecution against political dissidents.