ST. ALBANS, Vt. — A Palestinian man known for leading protests against the Gaza conflict during his time at Columbia University has voiced contentment amidst his recent detention in Vermont. Mohsen Mahdawi, holding legal permanent residency in the U.S., was apprehended on April 14 during an interview concerning his citizenship application. Despite his situation, Mahdawi assured his supporters he is “in good hands” at the Vermont facility where he’s held.
On Monday, Mahdawi met with Vermont’s Democratic U.S. Senator Peter Welch, who later shared insights from their conversation. Mahdawi expressed his faith in American justice and democracy, which he cited as his reasons for seeking citizenship. Observing, “This is the reason I wanted to become a citizen of this country, because I believe in the principles of this country.”
The Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans currently holds Mahdawi. A status conference for his case is slated for Wednesday. His legal team is actively working toward securing his release. However, the U.S. Justice Department has not disclosed the cause of his detainment. Previous reports indicated a memo by Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggesting Mahdawi’s activities could pose potential risks to the Middle East peace effort.
The State Department has declined to comment on the ongoing legal matters. Rubio’s memo puts forward a seldom-invoked law enabling deportation of individuals whose actions might provoke severe foreign policy repercussions for the United States. Subsequently, an immigration judge ruled on April 11 that Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student like Mahdawi, could be deported on national security grounds due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian rallies. Khalil’s legal representatives are in the process of appealing this decision.
In a related development, U.S. Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts, alongside other congressional members, visited Khalil, and another detainee, Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, at Louisiana immigration centers. These transfers shortly followed their arrests, raising concerns among some Democratic lawmakers. Markey criticized the transfer to locations with harsher immigration enforcement, like Louisiana, citing fears of increased deportation risk and limited legal support access.
Ozturk’s health, particularly her asthma, has reportedly deteriorated during her detention, with inadequate medical treatment cited by Senator Markey. Following a federal judge’s decision, Ozturk is to return to New England by May 1 to ascertain the legality of her detention tied to her co-authorship of a Gaza conflict op-ed.
Reflecting on his citizenship study, Mahdawi recounted learning about foundational U.S. rights, such as free speech, religion, and assembly. He affirmed that his advocacy has always aimed at peacemaking. Mahdawi stated, “My empathy, as I mentioned before, extends beyond the Palestinian people and my empathy extends to the Jews and to the Israelis.” His vision entails resolution and peace between the conflicting parties, challenging those who perceive his stance as threatening. Senator Welch concurred, highlighting the universal benefit of peace.
Mahdawi expressed profound gratitude for the support he receives and reassured his community of his steadfastness during this challenging time. He emphasized feelings of solidarity, clarity, and calm, urging his allies not to worry.
According to court records, Mahdawi was born in a refugee camp in the West Bank and migrated to the United States in 2014. Having completed his studies at Columbia, he was projected to graduate in May and commence a master’s program in the fall. Throughout his academic tenure, Mahdawi actively criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza, organizing campus rallies until March 2024.