Mohsen K. Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, arrived at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Colchester, Vermont, on Monday, April 14, 2025, hoping to pass his citizenship test after spending a decade in the United States. Instead, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested him, initiating the process to deport him to the occupied West Bank.
Mahdawi, a prominent figure in the campus protest movement against Israel's military actions in Gaza, became another green card holder facing removal. His attorney, Luna Droubi, stated, "Mohsen Mahdawi was unlawfully detained today for no reason other than his Palestinian identity. He came to this country hoping to be free to speak out about the atrocities he has witnessed, only to be punished for such speech."
On the same day, Mahdawi's legal team filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the legality of his detention, claiming that the government was violating his statutory and due process rights by punishing him for his pro-Palestinian speech. The petition highlighted that Mahdawi might be facing deportation under a rarely invoked provision that allows the Secretary of State to unilaterally declare immigrants as threats to American foreign policy.
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Monday, preventing Mahdawi from being moved out of Vermont while his case is pending. This legal maneuver came as a relief to many who have been following his case closely.
Mahdawi had been a leader of the pro-Palestine student protest movement until spring 2024, when he decided to step back to foster relationships with Jewish and Israeli communities on campus. In December 2023, he had a brief meeting with Columbia professor Shai Davidai, a pro-Israel figure, but the meeting ended abruptly when Davidai left midway through. Shortly after, Davidai characterized Mahdawi in a Twitter video as antisemitic and pro-Hamas, which intensified scrutiny from various groups.
The political climate surrounding Mahdawi's activism escalated after Donald Trump’s inauguration, as organizations like Betar and Canary Mission began targeting foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian movements. Mahdawi was one of nine Columbia students facing deportation as part of a broader crackdown on immigrant activists under the Trump administration. His case stands out as he is one of the few legal permanent residents arrested, indicating a shift in how immigration law is applied to activists.
"This is the outcome," Mahdawi said, expressing fear for his life if deported. He described the situation in the occupied territories, saying, "I will be either living or imprisoned or killed by the apartheid system." His concerns are rooted in personal tragedy; he has lost family members to the violence in the West Bank, including his childhood best friend, uncle, and cousins during the Second Intifada and more recently due to the ongoing violence since the October 7 attacks.
Mahdawi's activism gained national attention when he appeared in a "60 Minutes" segment in December 2023, where he criticized Columbia's then-President Minouche Shafik for her response to the October attacks and highlighted the plight of Palestinians. Following the interview, he faced increased surveillance and threats from pro-Israel groups, including death threats and doxing efforts.
In early 2025, Trump formalized plans to deport pro-Palestine student protesters through an executive order. This move followed a public campaign by groups like Betar, which claimed to have submitted a list of targeted students to the White House. Mahdawi's name appeared on these lists, and he subsequently went into hiding after a fellow activist, Mahmoud Khalil, was arrested by immigration authorities.
On April 11, 2025, Mahdawi received an email from USCIS notifying him about his citizenship interview, which he initially hoped would be a step towards his naturalization. However, given the recent events, he feared it might be a trap. He reached out to Vermont's congressional delegation, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, and Representative Becca Balint, asking for their support should anything go awry during the interview.
"That’s why they’re crushing universities now, it’s not only about Palestine," Mahdawi stated, expressing his belief that the government’s actions go beyond just one issue. Despite the threats against him, Mahdawi still harbors hopes of becoming a U.S. citizen and continuing his studies at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs.
In a joint statement, Senators Sanders and Welch and Representative Balint condemned Mahdawi's detention, calling it "immoral, inhumane, and illegal." They emphasized that he, as a legal resident, deserves due process and should be released immediately. "Earlier today, Mohsen Mahdawi of White River Junction, Vermont, walked into an immigration office for what was supposed to be the final step in his citizenship process. Instead, he was arrested and removed in handcuffs by plainclothes, armed, individuals with their faces covered," they stated.
Mahdawi's case highlights the broader issues of immigration policy and the targeting of activists in the United States, particularly those involved in pro-Palestinian movements. His story raises critical questions about freedom of speech and the rights of immigrants, sparking discussions among lawmakers and the public about the implications of the current administration's policies.
As the situation develops, Mahdawi remains in a precarious position, caught between his aspirations for citizenship and the harsh reality of immigration enforcement. His future hangs in the balance, with legal battles expected to continue as advocates rally for his release and the protection of his rights.
