- Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green card holder, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during what was supposed to be his naturalization process. Lawmakers said he was detained without explanation by armed, plainclothes agents in Vermont.
- Mahdawi’s lawyers argue his detention is retaliation for exercising free speech, pointing to his public criticism of the Gaza war and advocacy for a ceasefire.
- A Vermont judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent Mahdawi’s transfer.
Full Story
A Palestinian student and green card holder was arrested by immigration officials in Vermont earlier this week, just as he was preparing for a naturalization interview.
Columbia student detained by ICE
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student and co-founder of the school’s Palestinian Student Union, was taken into custody on Monday, April 14, by armed, plainclothes officers who allegedly refused to identify themselves or disclose his destination, according to a joint statement released by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and two other members of Congress.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
“(He) was arrested and removed in handcuffs by plainclothes, armed, individuals with their faces covered,” the lawmakers said. “These individuals refused to provide any information as to where he was being taken or what would happen to him.”
At the time of publication, Mahdawi has not been charged with any crimes. A federal judge in Vermont issued a temporary restraining order blocking Mahdawi’s transfer out of state while the legal process continues.
Court documents confirmed Mahdawi holds lawful permanent residency in the United States. He is being held in an ICE detention facility in Vermont. According to a petition filed by his legal team, Mahdawi’s lawyers are challenging the legality of his detention. They are asking a federal judge to determine whether his continued custody is lawful.
Mahdawi criticized war in Gaza
Mahdawi was a vocal critic of the war in Gaza, using both campus platforms and social media to share his perspective and personal ties to Palestine. His Instagram page includes posts advocating for a ceasefire and criticizing U.S. foreign policy in the region.
His attorney, Luna Droubi, told The Intercept that Mahdawi came to the U.S. to speak freely and is now being punished for doing that.
The arrest comes weeks after a new immigration policy went into effect in March that allows U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to penalize noncitizens for “speech and expressive conduct related to Palestine and Israel.” The policy sparked alarm among civil rights advocates who said it could be used to silence political dissent.
Similarities to Mahmoud Khalil’s case
Mahdawi’s case mirrors that of his fellow Columbia student and Palestinian Student Union co-founder Mahmoud Khalil, who ICE detained under similar circumstances. In both cases, attorneys argued officials invoked Section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a provision that allows for deportation on grounds of national security threats.
Mahdawi said in The Intercept that deportation to Palestine would amount to a death sentence.
