U.S. Court Frees Pro-Palestinian Activist Mohsen Mahdawi
Outspoken Palestinian Student Fights for Freedom after U.S. Arrest
In a defiant display of determination, 34-year-old Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, declared, "I am not afraid of you," to President Trump and his administration, following his release from federal custody on April 30, 2025.
Mahdawi, a permanent resident of the United States since 2015, was arrested during a naturalization interview in mid-April. The student, hailing from a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank, faced detention in a Vermont state prison before securing his release, which was ordered by a federal judge on the condition that he reside in Vermont and travel only to New York for his studies, legal meetings, or with explicit permission from the judge.
"For what reason did they arrest me?" Mahdawi questioned. "Because I spoke out and said no to war, yes to peace," he asserted.
The student activist is known for his fervor in advocating for Palestinian rights and was a co-founder of the Palestinian Student Union at Columbia University, alongside Mahmoud Khalil, another notable pro-Palestinian advocate in the United States. Khalil has been targeted by the Trump administration's deportation initiatives since his arrest on March 8.
Mahdawi's lawyers argue that the student's detention was an act of retaliation for his activism, which they believe violated his First Amendment rights. They contend that the detention was politically-motivated, stemming likely from his prominent role in campus protests against the war in Gaza during the early months of the Israel-Hama conflict. In contrast, the U.S. government maintains that its removal is justified under immigration laws due to potential adverse foreign policy consequences.
After his release, a local Vermont senator, Bernie Sanders, described the student's release as a "significant first step," expressing relief for the student who "should never have lived through this grave injustice." Sanders, along with other elected officials, vowed to continue their fight against what they consider to be Trump's attacks on the rule of law.
Caught on camera in his friend's video making a victory sign while handcuffed, Mahdawi faced off against immigration agents in the days leading up to his release. Despite the challenging circumstances, Mahdawi has remained resilient, emphasizing the importance of love and humanity in the face of adversity.
** Footnotes:**
- ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) arrests of international students and activists accused of advocating for Palestinian rights have increased under the Trump administration.
- Critics argue that these arrests reflect a disturbing trend of targeting activists and potentially violating their constitutional rights.
- Mohsen Mahdawi, the Palestinian student who was recently released from federal custody, asserted that his arrest was due to speaking out against war and advocating for peace.
- Known for his advocacy for Palestinian rights, Mahdawi was a co-founder of the Palestinian Student Union at Columbia University, alongside Mahmoud Khalil.
- Mahdawi's lawyers argue that his detention was a violation of his First Amendment rights and politically-motivated, citing his prominent role in campus protests against the war in Gaza.
- After his release, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders described Mahdawi's release as a "significant first step" and condemned what he considered to be Trump's attacks on the rule of law.
- Despite being handcuffed and facing off against immigration agents, Mahdawi remained resilient and emphasized the importance of love and humanity in the face of adversity.
