Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil will petition the Supreme Court after the U.S. federal Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit refused to review a lower‑court order that could clear the way for his deportation. Khalil, who became the emblem of the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro‑Palestinian campus protests, faces removal despite holding legal permanent residency and being married to a U.S. citizen still.

Immigration officials argue Khalil spreads antisemitism and cite his alleged distribution of pro‑Hamas flyers during the 2024 Columbia protests, claims the administration says support its foreign‑policy stance. His lawyers contend the case infringes the First Amendment, pointing to a January ruling that opened the door to a new arrest. The Third Circuit split 6‑5, with five judges warning of broader civil‑rights risks.

Baher Azmy of the Center for Constitutional Rights urged the high court to recognize the decision’s danger to non‑citizens targeted by the administration. The Justice Department has not commented. If the Supreme Court grants a stay, Khalil’s removal could be paused pending a merits hearing, leaving his immigration status in limbo for now for several months.