New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared Thursday that anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil should “remain in New York City,” openly challenging the Trump administration as it moves forward with deportation proceedings.

“Mahmoud Khalil is a New Yorker,” Mamdani said at a news conference. “He should remain in New York City.” He claimed the case represents an “attack on freedom of speech,” particularly when that speech is used to support what he called Palestinian human rights. In Mamdani’s view, Khalil “deserves to stay in the city, just like any other New Yorker.”

That statement came just days after a federal appeals court sided with the Trump administration. On Jan. 15, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2–1 that a lower court judge lacked authority to block Khalil’s removal. The panel said U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey had no “subject-matter jurisdiction” under federal immigration law to interfere with the deportation process.

Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student from Syria, was arrested in March at Columbia University over his anti-Israel activism on campus. An immigration judge later ruled he could be removed from the country based on a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Khalil’s protests conflicted with U.S. foreign policy interests.

Khalil had been taken into custody at his New York City apartment by Homeland Security Investigations agents in early March and was ordered released from detention on June 20. His legal team, backed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, insists his appeals process is still underway and claims he cannot be legally deported at this time.

Meanwhile, the White House made its position crystal clear. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said Khalil “was given the privilege of coming to America to study on a student visa he obtained by fraud and misrepresentation.” She added that the executive branch has the authority to protect the public and uphold immigration laws, warning that “those who lie to the government to obtain entry into the United States will face justice.”

Khalil is a lawful permanent resident, and his wife and child are American citizens.

While Mamdani argues Khalil belongs in New York, the courts are reminding everyone that immigration law is still immigration law — and slogans don’t override it. In the end, the Trump administration’s push to enforce the rules shows that borders and visas still matter, and that’s a reassuring sign for a system built on law, not political theater.