Mohsen Mahdawi, a green card holder and pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University, was arrested by US immigration officials while attending his citizenship interview in Colchester, Vermont on Monday. His lawyer, Luna Droubi, claims that Mahdawi's detention is a direct retaliation for his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus and highlights an ongoing crackdown tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Scheduled to graduate soon, Mahdawi was taken into custody along with other activists opposing Israel's military actions in Gaza, including students from other universities. Video evidence on social media depicted Mahdawi being escorted into a vehicle by law enforcement officers. His legal representation has initiated efforts for a temporary restraining order to keep him from being relocated or deported, with Judge William Sessions granting this request.
Originally hailing from a refugee camp in the West Bank, Mahdawi has held permanent resident status since 2015 and is described as a dedicated Buddhist who prioritizes non-violence. Droubi emphasized that his detention is an unconstitutional attempt to silence Palestinian advocates and stifle dissent regarding issues in Gaza.
This incident forms part of a broader pattern of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which critics argue targets students for expressing political views. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the actions, asserting that Mahdawi deserves due legal process and immediate release.
Furthermore, ongoing legal proceedings are in place for other arrested students, including Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts University, with implications regarding their treatment by immigration authorities. Critics maintain that the revocation of visas and detentions of international students under the pretext of curbing antisemitism jeopardize their right to free expression. As the situation unfolds, it raises critical questions about civil rights and policy direction in the US amid heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict.
