In a development that has sparked outrage across the political spectrum, U.S. immigration officials detained Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, during what was supposed to be a routine step in his path to American citizenship. Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident of the United States since 2015, was arrested on Monday while attending a scheduled interview with immigration authorities. The arrest took place at an immigration office and came as a shock to his supporters, particularly since Mahdawi was in the final stages of becoming aU.S. citizen.

According to his attorneys, Mahdawi was handcuffed and taken into custodyby plainclothes officers wearing masks. His legal team quickly filed an emergency court motion to halt any imminent deportation and secure his release. The filing also challenges the legality of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on immigrant student activists, arguing that such actions violate constitutional protections for free speech and due process.

A Voice for Palestine on Campus

Mahdawi, originally from the occupied West Bank, has been an active figure in pro-Palestinian advocacy at Columbia University. He co-founded a Palestinian student organization alongside Mahmoud Khalil, who has also faced similar immigration-related actions. Khalil was detained by U.S. authorities in March and remains embroiled in legal battles over his status. Both students have been vocal in their criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, and their arrests have been widely interpreted by advocacy groups as retaliation for their activism.

Mahdawi was expected to graduate in the coming month and had plans to pursue a master’s degree at Columbia in the fall. His arrest just weeks before graduation has not only disrupted his academic future but has also drawn national attention to what many see as a troubling escalation in the treatment of international students who express political opinions.

Political and Public Reactions

The arrest has triggered a strong response from Vermont lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders. In a joint statement with other state representatives, Sanders condemned the arrest and called for Mahdawi’s immediate release. "Mohsen Mahdawi of White River Junction, Vermont, walked into an immigration office for what was supposed to be the final step in his citizenship process," the statement read. "Instead, he was arrested and removed in handcuffs by plain-clothed, armed individuals with their faces covered."

A video circulated online by Mahdawi’s friends appears to show masked agents placing someone into a black SUV, further fueling public concern over the methods used by immigration authorities. Civil rights groups, student organizations, and free speech advocates have since joined calls for his release, warning that these actions set a dangerous precedent for the suppression of political dissent.

Court Intervenes to Block Deportation

In response to the legal motion filed by Mahdawi’s attorneys, District Judge William Sessions issued a temporary restraining order. The order prevents federal immigration officials from deporting Mahdawi or moving him out of Vermont while the court considers the case further. This legal reprieve has offered a momentary safeguard for Mahdawi, but the broader implications of his case remain unresolved.

This incident is not isolated. Immigration authorities have also detained other international students associated with pro-Palestinian activism, including Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, and Yunseo Chung, a permanent resident originally from South Korea studying at Columbia. Like Mahdawi, their deportations have been halted by court orders, raising concerns about a coordinated effort to silence dissent among international students.

Rising Concerns Over Political Retaliation

The Palestinian Youth Movement, among other activist groups, has denounced Mahdawi’s arrest as part of an intensifying campaign to intimidate student voices critical of U.S. foreign policy and Israeli military actions. In a statement posted on social media, the group asserted, "Mahdawi was active on Columbia's campus in organizing for Gaza and Palestine during Israel's genocide in Gaza. His targeting represents a continuation of the Trump administration's campaign that began with the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil."

As protests continue and legal challenges mount, advocates are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mahdawi and others facing similar threats. The unfolding situation underscores the fragile position of noncitizen students in the U.S. who engage in political advocacy and raises urgent questions about the intersection of immigration enforcement and freedom of expression.