by ALEXX ALTMAN-DEVILBISS | The National News DeskFri, April 10, 2026 at 5:45 AMFILE - Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil holds a news conference outside Federal Court, Oct. 21, 2025, in Philadelphia (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)NEW YORK (TNND) — An immigration appeals board on Thursday denied Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil's latest bid to dismiss his deportation case, bringing him one step closer to possible detention and expulsion from Columbia University.Khalil, a 31-year-old legal permanent resident, was detained last March after participating in campus protests against the war in Gaza and held for three months before a federal judge in New Jersey ordered his release on bail.Khalil's lawyers reported the latest decision from the Board of Immigration Appeals, according to The Associated Press.In a statement released by the ACLU, Khalil said he was not surprised by the ruling, which he called "biased and politically motivated." His attorneys said he cannot be lawfully detained or deported as he pursues a separate case in the federal court system."I have committed no crime. I have broken no law. The only thing I am guilty of is speaking out against the genocide in Palestine — and this administration has weaponized the immigration system to punish me for it,” Khalil said.He added, “My family is here. My life is here. I reject any attempt to intimidate me out of my home based on lies and ideological attacks. This is not justice I will continue fighting for my rights in court.”The government has argued that Khalil’s role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia was “aligned to Hamas,” though it has not presented evidence of any connection. Khalil has denied allegations of antisemitism.Another legal setback came in January, when a U.S. appeals panel ruled that the New Jersey judge overstepped his authority in ordering Khalil’s release. In a 2-1 decision, the panel said the case must proceed through immigration courts before it can be challenged in federal court.Khalil’s lawyers are now asking the full appeals panel to reconsider that decision. Earlier this month, they also asked one of the judges to step aside due to his previous role at the Justice Department.Khalil, who was born in Syria to a Palestinian family and holds Algerian citizenship, has said he fears he could be targeted or killed if deported._____Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.