Immigration Officials Detain Pro-Palestinian Activist During Citizenship Interview

Mohsen Mahdawi, a green card holder and pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University, has been detained by immigration officials amid ongoing protests against the Israel-Gaza conflict. His lawyer argues that the arrest is retaliation for his political activism, highlighting a broader crackdown on student dissent regarding Israel.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a prominent student activist and organizer of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, has been detained by immigration authorities while attending a citizenship interview in Colchester, Vermont, according to his lawyer. As a green card holder who is set to graduate next month, his arrest has raised alarm about potential retaliation for his vocal stance against the Israel-Gaza war.

Mahdawi's attorney, Luna Droubi, claims the detention is a direct response to his advocacy for Palestinian rights, calling it an unconstitutional attempt to stifle dissent. Reports indicate that his arrest was not isolated, as other students who participated in similar protests, including Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk from nearby universities, have also been detained under comparable circumstances.

Video evidence shows Mahdawi being escorted by immigration officials, which Droubi suggests exemplifies the chilling effect on free speech, particularly in the academic environment. Following his detention, a federal court issued a temporary restraining order preventing immigration authorities from moving him out of Vermont or proceeding with expulsion, a ruling swiftly granted by Judge William Sessions.

Mahdawi, originally from a refugee camp in the West Bank and a US permanent resident since 2015, is described by his attorney as a philosophy major with a strong commitment to non-violence. His activism has included participating in mainstream media discussions, such as a CBS interview where he accused Israel of genocide, a claim categorically denied by Israeli officials.

The wave of arrests among students advocating for Palestinian rights has drawn criticism from various political figures, including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who has called for Mahdawi’s immediate release and due process. The backdrop of these events is a crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, which has reportedly revoked numerous international student visas under the guise of addressing antisemitism on campuses.

As legal challenges unfold for Mahdawi’s peers, including Ozturk and Khalil, the situation highlights ongoing tensions within the intersection of immigration policy, free speech rights, and international social movements.