MONTPELIER, VT. – Following his recent release from custody, Palestinian student Mohsen Mahdawi has spearheaded a $1 million fundraising effort aimed at bolstering the legal protections for immigrants in Vermont. This announcement came shortly after a federal judge ordered his release, allowing him to leave detention a week earlier.
Mahdawi, aged 34, was involved in activism against Israel’s actions in Gaza while attending Columbia University. His involvement led to his arrest during an interview regarding his U.S. citizenship, landing him in a state prison for 16 days until his release on April 30. The Trump administration had sought his deportation, citing his activism as a threat to its foreign policy endeavors. However, the judge concluded Mahdawi had a valid argument that his detention was to suppress political speech.
Under the Trump administration, numerous college students across the nation faced detention, particularly those who protested the Israel-Hamas conflict on campuses. Mahdawi was among the initial individuals who successfully challenged their detention and secured their freedom.
At a press briefing in the Statehouse, Mahdawi expressed gratitude, emphasizing universal humanity that transcends divisions and unjust laws. “This is a message of hope and light … It starts from Vermont,” he declared.
Alongside Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak and Senate Majority Leader Kesha Ram Hinsdale, Mahdawi unveiled the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund. This initiative, backed by lawyers and philanthropists, seeks to enhance legal assistance through the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project, provide training for pro bono attorneys, and collaborate with community organizations to aid those facing deportation, detention, and family divisions.
Kesha Ram Hinsdale emphasized the state’s commitment to supporting all its residents, regardless of origins or language, “We protect and take care of our people … We take care of our own against any and all threats.”
Vermont’s leaders, including its congressional delegation and state legislators, have vocalized support for Mahdawi. Resolutions from both the House and Senate denounced his detention, advocating for his release and due process rights.
Republican Governor Phil Scott condemned the circumstances surrounding Mahdawi’s arrest at an immigration office in Colchester, stating, “Law enforcement officers in this country should not operate in the shadows or hide behind masks.”
Originally from a refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Mahdawi came to the United States in 2014 and eventually became a legal permanent resident. At Columbia University, he played a crucial role in organizing protests and co-founded the Palestinian Student Union with fellow Palestinian and permanent U.S. resident Mahmoud Khalil, who was also arrested earlier this year.
The government is currently contesting Mahdawi’s release, but this decision allows him to attend his upcoming graduation ceremony at Columbia in New York. Reflecting on his time in prison, Mahdawi recalled sharing a cell with a Mexican farmer who prayed nightly. He stated, “This is what I call love and care … the teachings of Jesus, who would feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and provide support to illegal immigrants.”