Mohsen Mahdawi, a permanent resident and Palestinian activist studying at Columbia University, was arrested by ICE during a citizenship interview, raising concerns about politically motivated immigration actions. His case has sparked protests and discussions on civil rights amid accusations of retaliatory detentions against activists.
Student Activist's Arrest Raises Concerns Over Immigration Traps
Student Activist's Arrest Raises Concerns Over Immigration Traps
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University student, was detained after expressing fears his citizenship interview was a setup.
A Palestinian student activist enrolled at Columbia University, Mohsen Mahdawi, found himself in a critical situation when he was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during what he suspected could be a trap disguised as a citizenship interview. Mahdawi, who holds "green card" status, expressed his concerns just a day prior to his arrest, stating to CBS News, "I've been waiting for this for more than a year... Is this a honey trap?"
On Tuesday, protests erupted in New York in solidarity with Mahdawi and other activists facing deportation threats, following an intensified scrutiny of immigration cases under the Trump administration. Mahdawi, who is set to graduate soon, was taken into custody in Colchester, Vermont. His attorney, Luna Droubi, condemned the detention as a direct response to Mahdawi’s activism for the Palestinian cause and an unconstitutional act aimed at silencing dissent regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Born in a refugee camp in the West Bank and moving to the US in 2014, Mahdawi identifies as a committed Buddhist, promoting non-violence and empathy. Alongside fellow activists Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk, who have also been detained, he co-founded the Palestinian Student Union at Columbia and has been actively engaged in campus protests following the October 2023 Hamas attack and the subsequent Israeli military actions.
Shortly post-arrest, a federal judge in Vermont intervened, ruling against Mahdawi’s removal from the state. Meanwhile, Khalil and Ozturk have been reported to be held at an ICE detention facility in Louisiana. In December, Mahdawi made headlines for accusing Israel of genocide in a CBS interview, a claim that the Israeli government denies.
The crackdown on foreign students has escalated, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing the revocation of at least 300 international student visas as part of an initiative to combat antisemitism on university campuses, though student leaders have strongly rebuffed such allegations of prejudice.
Before his detainment, Mahdawi emphasized his belief in compassion extending towards both Palestinians and Israelis, sharing his view during interviews. In a surprising comment, President Trump suggested the possibility of detaining US citizens and sending them abroad, which legal experts assert would breach constitutional rights. As the political climate intensifies, Mahdawi's case highlights the intersection of activism, immigration policy, and the protection of civil liberties in the United States.
