A Palestinian student activist from Columbia University was arrested during his U.S. citizenship interview in Vermont, sparking concerns from civil rights groups and political leaders.
Mohsen Mahdawi, a green card holder and senior at Columbia, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on Monday. The arrest happened in Colchester, Vermont, where he had gone for what was supposed to be the final step in his naturalization process.
Arrest Sparks Free Speech Concerns
According to his lawyer, Luna Droubi, Mahdawi’s arrest is directly connected to his role in organizing pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
“He was detained in direct retaliation for his advocacy for Palestinians and because of his identity,” Droubi said. “This detention is not only a violation of his rights, but it is also unconstitutional.”
Mahdawi co-founded Columbia University’s Palestinian Student Society. He has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. In a December 2024 interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, he accused Israel of committing genocide—a charge Israel denies.
A video shared on social media shows Mahdawi being escorted by two officers wearing police jackets. His current location remains unknown.
Legal Battle Begins After Arrest
Droubi quickly filed for a temporary restraining order in federal court to stop immigration authorities from moving Mahdawi out of Vermont or deporting him. Judge William Sessions, appointed by former President Obama, approved the request.
Court documents reveal that Mahdawi was born in a refugee camp in the West Bank and came to the U.S. in 2014. He has been a lawful permanent resident since 2015 and is studying philosophy at Columbia. The documents also note that Mahdawi is a practicing Buddhist, committed to non-violence and empathy.
Other Student Activists Also Detained
Mahdawi’s case is not an isolated one. Other students involved in pro-Palestinian protests have also faced detention by immigration authorities.
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Mahmoud Khalil, another Columbia University protest leader, was arrested outside his student housing last month. He is currently being held in a detention center in Louisiana. The government recently ruled to deport him, calling him a “national security risk.”
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Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student from Tufts University, was arrested in March. Her case is under review by Judge Sessions, who questioned whether the administration could cause a “constitutional crisis” if it ignored a court order to return her from Louisiana to Vermont.
Political Reaction Grows
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who represents Vermont, criticized Mahdawi’s arrest. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“Mohsen Mahdawi was illegally detained by ICE during what should have been the final step in his path to citizenship. He must be given due process and released immediately.”
Civil rights advocates argue that these detentions are part of a broader crackdown on free speech and political expression by international students. Many say this violates their constitutional rights.
Crackdown Follows Federal Immigration Policy Shift
Mahdawi’s arrest comes amid a growing federal push to limit activism seen as anti-Israel. Last month, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that more than 300 foreign students had their visas revoked. The move was aimed at reducing what officials called rising antisemitism on college campuses.
Critics argue that these actions are politically motivated and infringe on freedom of speech. They say many students are being unfairly labeled as antisemitic simply for criticizing Israel’s military policies.
Legal groups have pointed out that freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment—even for non-citizens living in the U.S. under legal residency.
What’s Next for Mahdawi?
As of now, Mahdawi’s future in the U.S. is uncertain. His legal team is working to stop any potential deportation and gain his immediate release.
Columbia University has not made a public statement about the arrest. However, several student groups on campus have called for transparency and support for international students facing legal threats due to their activism.
