CONCORD, N.H. — A Palestinian man, seeking to complete the process to become a U.S. citizen, has expressed relief upon learning that he will not be transferred out of Vermont, according to his legal representative who shared the news on Tuesday.
Mohsen Mahdawi, who holds the status of a legal permanent resident and is known for his activism against the conflict in Gaza during his time at Columbia University, was taken into custody on Monday while attending an immigration office interview in Colchester, Vermont. Subsequently, a judicial order was issued to prevent his relocation from the state or country, with one of Mahdawi’s lawyers confirming that he remains in Vermont for the time being.
Attorney Luna Droubi mentioned that although they have managed to establish communication with Mahdawi, they remain in the dark regarding the reasons behind his detention.
She remarked, “His unwavering dedication to peace and unity stands firm despite having witnessed harrowing events that are beyond the grasp of many.” Continuing, Droubi highlighted that Mahdawi’s arrest seems to stem from malicious statements by non-government agents and adversaries of Palestinian human rights, which is a cause for collective concern.
Court documents reveal that Mahdawi was born in a refugee camp located in the West Bank, before relocating to the United States in 2014. He recently fulfilled his academic requirements at Columbia University, with plans to graduate in May and commence a master’s degree program at the institution during the fall.
Mahdawi’s time as a student was marked by his vocal opposition to the Israeli military actions in Gaza. Until March 2024, he was actively involved in organizing protest movements on campus. Alongside Mahmoud Khalil, another Palestinian permanent resident and Columbia graduate student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he co-founded the Palestinian Student Union.
Khalil became the first individual apprehended as part of former President Donald Trump’s initiative targeting students involved in campus demonstrations against the conflict in Gaza. A recent judgment by an immigration judge in Louisiana declared Khalil as a national security risk, opening the path for his deportation.
A day prior to his arrest, Mahdawi shared in an interview with CBS News that any insinuations labeling the pro-Palestinian efforts at Columbia as anti-Semitic were misleading.
He elaborated, “The activism and endeavors we pursued were rooted in the essence of love. I wish for people to recognize that my empathy extends beyond the Palestinian populace, encompassing the Jewish community and Israelis as well.”