A federal judge has ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestine activist. This decision comes as he challenges his deportation. U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford ruled on Wednesday that Mahdawi could leave the Northwest State Correctional Facility in Vermont, where he had been detained since immigration officials arrested him earlier this month.
Mahdawi was taken into custody on April 14 during a citizenship interview. His arrest drew attention on social media, with videos showing him being led away in handcuffs. Supporters welcomed him outside the court with cheers as he raised his hands in peace signs. In a message directed at President Donald Trump, Mahdawi stated, “I am not afraid of you,” emphasizing that the student protest movement is peaceful. He expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, saying, “I feel your pain, I see your suffering, and I see freedom, and it is very soon.”
Mahdawi, who is a legal resident of the U.S., has been an outspoken leader in protests at Columbia University against Israel’s actions in Gaza. His detention is part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on student protesters who advocate for Palestine. Critics argue this is an attempt to silence dissenting voices in academia. The administration has pressured universities to restrict pro-Palestine protests, citing concerns about anti-Semitism.
Judge Crawford found that Mahdawi does not pose a flight risk, allowing him to attend his graduation next month in New York City. Although the U.S. government may appeal his release, the judge’s ruling permits him to fight his deportation from outside of detention. The Trump administration opposed his release, claiming his detention was legally justified as part of the deportation process.
Mahdawi’s legal team argues that his detention violates his constitutional rights to free speech. Lia Ernst, a lawyer from the American Civil Liberties Union representing Mahdawi, stated, “Mohsen has committed no crime, and the government’s only supposed justification for holding him in prison is the content of his speech.” The administration has maintained that constitutional protections apply primarily to U.S. citizens, a position that could be tested in the Supreme Court.
The legal basis for Mahdawi’s deportation stems from a rarely used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the U.S. to deport foreign nationals whose activities may threaten foreign policy interests. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cited this law in seeking Mahdawi’s deportation, linking it to his pro-Palestinian activism.
Mahdawi’s situation is not unique. He was arrested shortly after another Columbia student, Mahmoud Khalil, was detained under similar circumstances. Khalil remains in custody, facing deportation for his involvement in pro-Palestine protests. Both students are challenging their arrests and deportation efforts in court.
While Mahdawi was detained, he received support from various figures, including U.S. Senator Peter Welch, who called the arrest unjust. Mahdawi expressed hope for justice and democracy, stating that these principles motivated his desire to become a U.S. citizen.