Judge Orders Release of Palestinian Man Arrested Amid Protests at Columbia University
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A U.S. District Judge has ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian man and Columbia University student, who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a citizenship interview. Judge Geoffrey Crawford’s ruling comes after Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident for a decade, had been detained in Vermont since April 14.
Mahdawi’s arrest drew allegations of retaliation for his activism advocating for Palestinian rights, particularly as he organized protests against the military actions in Gaza. Court documents reveal a notice of removal citing concerns from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Mahdawi’s activities could compromise U.S. foreign policy interests.
The government contends that Mahdawi’s detention is lawful within the deportation framework, asserting that district courts cannot challenge this process. Mahdawi’s legal journey is mirrored by that of his colleague Mahmoud Khalil, illustrating a broader pattern of actions against Palestinian activists in the U.S.
Born in a refugee camp in the West Bank, Mahdawi moved to the U.S. in 2014 and was set to graduate this May, ready to pursue a master’s degree. His case raises significant questions about free speech and immigration policy.
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