Mohsen Mahdawi, a pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia University student, was detained by immigration officials during a US citizenship interview, drawing widespread criticism and legal actions for perceived retaliation against his activism.
Palestinian Student Activist Detained During Citizenship Interview in Vermont
Palestinian Student Activist Detained During Citizenship Interview in Vermont
Mohsen Mahdawi's arrest raises concerns over free speech and immigration policies amid campus protests.
Article:
A Palestinian student activist from Columbia University, Mohsen Mahdawi, was arrested by immigration officials while attending an interview as part of his application for US citizenship, according to his attorney. The incident took place in Colchester, Vermont, and marks what his lawyer describes as a direct response to Mahdawi's involvement in pro-Palestinian protests at the university amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The green card holder is set to graduate next month and has become a notable figure in the campus protests against Israel's military actions.
Witnesses shared video footage on social media showing Mahdawi being escorted by two individuals in police jackets. His attorney, Luna Droubi, asserts that this detention is an "attempt to silence voices advocating for Palestinian rights" and is unconstitutional. In response, Droubi has sought a temporary restraining order from a federal court to prevent Mahdawi's removal from Vermont or expulsion from the country, which was promptly granted by Judge William Sessions.
Born in a West Bank refugee camp and relocating to the US in 2014, Mahdawi, a philosophy major and committed Buddhist, has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights, even stating last December in a CBS interview that he believes Israel is committing genocide—claims that Israel has vigorously denied.
His detention coincides with a broader crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, prompting scrutiny over reviews of foreign students’ visa statuses. Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that over 300 foreign students' visas were revoked to counter alleged antisemitism on college campuses. Critics argue that these actions unjustly label students and erode their rights to free speech.
Senator Bernie Sanders publicly condemned Mahdawi's detention, emphasizing the need for due process and immediate release from detention. Mahdawi’s situation is compounded by the case of other student activists, including Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts University, who also faced arrest under similar circumstances.
As Mahdawi’s legal team prepares for further court proceedings, the implications of his detention on student activism and free expression in the US are increasingly under scrutiny. The situation serves as a critical examination of the intersection of immigration policy, political activism, and the rights of individuals advocating for equality and justice.
A Palestinian student activist from Columbia University, Mohsen Mahdawi, was arrested by immigration officials while attending an interview as part of his application for US citizenship, according to his attorney. The incident took place in Colchester, Vermont, and marks what his lawyer describes as a direct response to Mahdawi's involvement in pro-Palestinian protests at the university amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The green card holder is set to graduate next month and has become a notable figure in the campus protests against Israel's military actions.
Witnesses shared video footage on social media showing Mahdawi being escorted by two individuals in police jackets. His attorney, Luna Droubi, asserts that this detention is an "attempt to silence voices advocating for Palestinian rights" and is unconstitutional. In response, Droubi has sought a temporary restraining order from a federal court to prevent Mahdawi's removal from Vermont or expulsion from the country, which was promptly granted by Judge William Sessions.
Born in a West Bank refugee camp and relocating to the US in 2014, Mahdawi, a philosophy major and committed Buddhist, has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights, even stating last December in a CBS interview that he believes Israel is committing genocide—claims that Israel has vigorously denied.
His detention coincides with a broader crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, prompting scrutiny over reviews of foreign students’ visa statuses. Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that over 300 foreign students' visas were revoked to counter alleged antisemitism on college campuses. Critics argue that these actions unjustly label students and erode their rights to free speech.
Senator Bernie Sanders publicly condemned Mahdawi's detention, emphasizing the need for due process and immediate release from detention. Mahdawi’s situation is compounded by the case of other student activists, including Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts University, who also faced arrest under similar circumstances.
As Mahdawi’s legal team prepares for further court proceedings, the implications of his detention on student activism and free expression in the US are increasingly under scrutiny. The situation serves as a critical examination of the intersection of immigration policy, political activism, and the rights of individuals advocating for equality and justice.
