Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil, who became the public face of the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro‑Palestinian demonstrators, now faces deportation before the Supreme Court can review his appeal. A Justice Department‑run Board of Immigration Appeals issued a ruling last month that upheld a lower court finding he must leave the United States.

The board accelerated the case to an unprecedented 9 days after filing final briefs, a timeline normally measured in years for non‑detained immigrants. Internal memos labeled the matter “high priority,” directing staff to treat Khalil as if still in custody. At least three judges stepped aside, a rarity that fuels speculation about political interference.

Under the Trump administration, the Justice Department reshaped the appeals board, cutting judges, dismissing Biden appointees and installing lawyers aligned with the president’s agenda. The resulting stream of expedited decisions has made deportations easier, prompting immigration lawyers to warn that Khalil’s case may set a precedent for future politically charged removals.

Khalil’s lawyers argue the Department’s reliance on a rarely used statute—citing alleged UNRWA affiliation and alleged antisemitic impact—violates First Amendment protections. Federal judges have already questioned the legality of the deportation order, freeing him briefly in 2025 before a higher court reinstated the board’s ruling. The episode underscores how immigration adjudication can become a tool of partisan policy.