In the aftermath of Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel, anti-Israel movement leaders at Columbia University are being detained by immigration authorities.
Mohsen Mahdawi was summoned Monday to the US Civil Rights Office, Colchester, Vermont.
He was hoping to take the test to become a naturalized citizen. Instead, immigration and customs enforcement agents arrested him, according to Intercept.
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According to the report, Mawdawi was in the US for 10 years and owned a green card.
The Trump administration wants to expel him to the West Bank, but faces a legal battle to do so.
“Mohsen Mahadawi was illegally detained today for no reason other than his Palestinian identity,” said Luna Drubi, Mahdawi’s lawyer.
Exclusive footage: Colombian student and Palestinian Mohsen Madawi were arrested while visiting the immigration office here in Colchester. Follow more. Video: Christopher Helali pic.twitter.com/i9jvps2dln
– Christopher Herali (@chrishelali) April 14, 2025
“He wanted to come to this country and speak freely about the atrocities he witnessed, but he would only be punished for such a speech.”
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to ensure that Mahadawi is not deported until legal challenges to detention and deportation unfold.
The New York Times said Mahadawi said he is a student but he is in his mid-30s.
Mahdawi fears going to the West Bank where violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians is high.
“It’s a kind of death sentence,” Madhawi said, according to the interception. “Because my people are being killed indiscriminately and unfairly.”
Mahdawi was a companion to anti-Israel Colombian protester Mahmoud Khalil and was hiding to prevent deportation, the outlet reported.
He asked Colombia to help him find a place where he could not be detained, but the university didn’t answer.
“This is the outcome,” Mahadawi said. “I will live, be imprisoned or killed by the apartheid system.”
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Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Mahadawi should be released.
“Mohsen Mahadawi of White River Junction, Vermont, walked to the immigration office for what appears to be the final step in his citizenship process,” he said.
“Mahdawi, a legal resident of the United States, must be given due process under the law and be released from custody immediately.”
According to NBC, the Ministry of Homeland Security did not comment on Mahdi’s detention.
This article was originally published in the Western Journal and has been reposted with permission.
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