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Last month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio decided to deport Khalil under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, stating that his presence in the United States "could have adverse foreign policy consequences." Khalil is a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian student protest movement that rocked the campus of Columbia University in New York City.
Khalil's case is the most prominent test of US President Donald Trump's efforts to deport pro-Palestinian students residing legally in the United States who, like Khalil, have not been charged with any offense.
Khalil, who was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and holds Algerian citizenship, was granted legal permanent residency in the United States last year.
His lawyers complained about the limited time they had to review evidence presented by the government on Wednesday, at the order of Judge Jamie Comans of the LaSalle County Immigration Court in Louisiana.
In a two-page letter submitted to the court and to Khalil's defense team, which was shared with reporters, Rubio wrote that Khalil, 30, should be deported for his role in "anti-Semitic protests and disruptive activities that foster a hostile climate for Jewish students in the United States."
In the letter, Rubio did not accuse Khalil of violating any law, but he said the State Department has the right to revoke the legal status of any immigrant even if their beliefs, connections, and statements are "lawful."
Khalil's lawyers said they will ask the judge at Friday's hearing to allow them to subpoena Rubio to testify. A State Department spokesperson said the department does not comment on pending court cases.