A U.S. immigration judge in Louisiana ruled Friday that the Trump administration can move forward with deportation proceedings against Mahmoud Khalil.

The Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist’s case has become a flashpoint in the national debate over student protests and immigration policy. Judge James Comans at the LaSalle Immigration Court ruled that Khalil is removable under U.S. immigration law, finding the government had “established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable.”