Mahmoud Khalil appeared Tuesday in a federal appeals court in Philadelphia, continuing to challenge a deportation order from the Trump administration over his pro-Palestinian activism at Columbia University. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals hearing comes as the government seeks to overturn a lower court decision that granted Khalil's release from a Louisiana immigration detention facility. Khalil’s legal team argues that the federal authorities should not be permitted to detain him again or commence the deportation process.

During the hearing, government attorney Drew Ensign claimed the lower court judge exceeded his authority, stating, All of this is being conducted in an improper forum. So that should be a full stop. An immigration judge had previously ruled that Khalil could face deportation, but the case remains under review by a separate appellate board.

Khalil, who is a legal resident of the U.S. and married to an American citizen, expressed his commitment to continue advocating for Palestinian rights during the ongoing legal process. He was granted permission to travel for advocacy events across the country. Khalil stated, They want to make an example of me to intimidate those speaking out for Palestine across the country. I’m stating unequivocally: I will continue my legal fight in federal courts for my rights, and for everyone’s right, to free speech.

Khalil was among the first students targeted for deportation amid a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on pro-Palestinian protesters, an effort the government linked to allegations of antisemitism, which Khalil vehemently denies.