On April 30, 2025, a federal judge in Vermont ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a 34-year-old Palestinian student at Columbia University, from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. Mahdawi had been arrested on April 14 during a scheduled naturalization interview at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office in Colchester, Vermont. His detention sparked widespread concern and criticism, with many viewing it as a politically motivated action aimed at silencing pro-Palestinian activism.
Mahdawi has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights and was a co-president of the Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter, which had been suspended by the university in March 2024 due to its involvement in campus protests. These protests, particularly one on November 9, 2023, had drawn national attention and were characterized by university officials as involving “threatening rhetoric and intimidation.” However, this characterization was later debunked and retracted in private university discussions, though no public correction was issued .
Despite stepping back from active protest leadership in early 2024, Mahdawi continued to engage in dialogue with peers and remained a prominent figure in discussions surrounding Palestinian rights. His arrest occurred under the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism, which had seen several students and activists detained or deported under controversial legal provisions .
Following his arrest, Mahdawi’s legal team filed a habeas corpus petition, challenging the legality of his detention. On April 30, U.S. District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford ruled in favor of Mahdawi, ordering his release on bail. The judge found that Mahdawi posed no flight risk or danger to the community and criticized the government’s justification for his detention, likening it to McCarthy-era overreach .
In a statement outside the courthouse, Mahdawi expressed gratitude to his supporters and reiterated his commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights. He led a crowd of hundreds in chanting, “The people united will never be defeated,” and shared a message of solidarity with Palestinians, saying, “To my people in Palestine: I feel your pain, I see your suffering; and I see freedom and it is very very soon.
Mahdawi’s case has drawn national attention to the treatment of pro-Palestinian activists and immigrants in the United States. Critics argue that his detention was a retaliatory action aimed at suppressing political dissent and infringing upon First Amendment rights. The ACLU and other civil rights organizations have condemned his detention as a violation of constitutional rights and have pledged to continue fighting for his full exoneration .
The case also highlights the broader context of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which have been criticized for targeting individuals based on political beliefs and activism. The administration’s use of obscure legal provisions to justify such actions has raised concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and the politicization of immigration enforcement .
The release of Mohsen Mahdawi is a significant development in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the rights of activists in the United States. While his case highlights the potential for abuse within the immigration system, it also underscores the importance of legal challenges and public advocacy in safeguarding civil liberties. As Mahdawi prepares to graduate from Columbia University, his case serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by immigrant communities and the need for continued vigilance in protecting constitutional rights.
