Mahmoud Khalil asks for Emil Bove’s recusal in immigration case

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestinian activist facing deportation, petitioned federal appeals court Wednesday to remove Judge Emil Bove from his immigration case. Khalil's legal team argues that Bove's previous positions as acting deputy attorney general and principal associate deputy attorney general create a conflict of interest in the matter. The recusal request challenges whether Bove can fairly adjudicate an immigration case given his prior senior roles in the Justice Department, which typically handles deportation proceedings. If granted, the petition would remove Bove from the appellate panel reviewing Khalil's case and likely require reassignment to another judge. The outcome will determine whether the current judicial panel hears Khalil's bid to avoid removal from the country.