U.S. District Judge rules in favour of Mohsen Mahdawi, a pro-Palestinian activist, allowing his release while his deportation case proceeds, sparking protests and legal battles
A federal judge in Vermont has ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia student deportation case figure, who was detained by U.S. immigration authorities under the Trump administration’s crackdown on foreign students. Mahdawi, a pro-Palestinian activist and legal U.S. resident, was arrested during a naturalization interview despite being near the final stage of obtaining citizenship.
Mahdawi’s arrest is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to target pro-Palestinian students and academics who have publicly criticised Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked a rarely used immigration law provision to label Mahdawi’s presence in the U.S. as harmful to the country’s foreign policy interests, thus opening the door to deportation proceedings. The government’s action has sparked widespread condemnation, with critics arguing that it infringes on First Amendment rights by targeting individuals for their political beliefs and protest activities.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford allowed Mahdawi to remain free while his case continues. Crawford, who was appointed by President Obama, compared the targeting of Mahdawi and other academics to the McCarthyism of the 1950s, when government actions persecuted individuals for their political affiliations and beliefs. The judge stressed that Mahdawi did not pose a threat to public safety or flight risk, and ordered his release after two weeks in detention.
Outside the courthouse, Mahdawi made an impassioned statement to supporters, declaring, “To President Trump and his Cabinet: I am not afraid of you.” His release is seen as a major victory for civil liberties and free speech advocates, though the Trump administration has already signalled its intent to appeal Crawford’s decision to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mahdawi, who grew up in the West Bank and has lived in the U.S. for nearly a decade, was arrested despite holding a green card. He had been actively involved in Columbia University’s pro-Palestinian protests, which included vocal opposition to Israel’s policies. Mahdawi’s case is not unique, as other students, including Mahmoud Khalil from Columbia, have been detained and targeted for deportation under similar circumstances. Both Khalil and Mahdawi are among several foreign nationals who have become the focus of the Trump administration’s policy to quickly remove individuals deemed to be antagonistic to U.S. foreign policy.
In a related case, Mahdawi’s fellow activist, Khalil, has been detained in Louisiana, fighting deportation since early March. The U.S. government has similarly moved to deport other academics such as Georgetown University’s Badar Khan Suri, who was detained due to his father-in-law’s ties to Hamas, and Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, who has publicly criticised Israel.
The Trump administration’s aggressive stance has raised concerns among civil rights groups, with multiple legal challenges underway. One recent court ruling, from a Reagan-appointed judge, allowed a broad First Amendment challenge to proceed, indicating growing judicial scepticism towards the government’s tactics.
While Mahdawi’s release is a temporary victory, it is clear that the Trump administration is committed to pursuing its deportation efforts. Mahdawi’s legal battle is expected to continue, with the U.S. government seeking to appeal Crawford’s ruling. However, the outcome of the case could set an important precedent for how the U.S. handles the intersection of free speech and foreign policy.
Mahdawi, who is set to graduate from Columbia in May, expressed his hope for the future, stating that he planned to pursue a graduate degree in the fall. As he left the courthouse, Mahdawi was cheered by a crowd of supporters, many of whom had gathered to show solidarity with his cause.
