A U.S. immigration judge ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, the spokesman for Columbia University protesters, can be deported by the Trump administration.

In a decision that appeared to be pre-written, an immigration judge ruled immediately after a hearing today that Mahmoud Khalil is removable under U.S. immigration law. This comes less than 48 hours after the U.

JENA, La. (AP) — Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil can be deported as a national security risk, an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled Friday during a hearing over the legality of kicking the activist who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations out of the U.S.

A Louisiana immigration judge said Friday that Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil – a legal permanent resident – can be deported after the United States government argued his presence posed “potentially serious foreign policy consequences.

A memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs, even though his activities were "otherwise lawful."

Protests have erupted across the United States in support of Mahmoud Khalil since his detention A Louisiana judge will later determine whether Columbia University campus activist Mahmoud Khalil can be released from custody.