Judge Slams Unjust Detention: “No Crime Committed”
In a powerful rebuke of federal overreach, a federal judge in Vermont ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University and lawful permanent U.S. resident, who had been detained and targeted for deportation despite facing no criminal charges.
“For anybody doubting justice,” Mahdawi said upon his release, “this is a light of hope and faith in the justice system in America.”
The Arrest That Sparked Outrage
Mahdawi was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 14 in Colchester, Vermont, during a routine naturalization interview. The arrest drew immediate criticism, with his legal team arguing that his detention was a direct retaliation for his outspoken advocacy for Palestinian rights.
He is among a growing number of international students facing detention for pro-Palestinian activism, under a little-known statute being leveraged by the Trump administration that allows deportation based on supposed “foreign policy threats.”
Legal Victory: Judge Orders Immediate Release
US District Judge Geoffrey Crawford ordered Mahdawi’s release on bail, citing the unjust harm caused by his detention:
“The two weeks of detention so far demonstrate great harm to a person who has been charged with no crime.”
Mahdawi walked free Wednesday morning, greeted by a group of supporters outside the detention center, many of whom had rallied online and in-person to demand his release.
A Voice for Justice: “No One of Us Is Free Unless We All Are”
In a moving address after his release, Mahdawi connected his struggle to a broader fight for justice:
“The fight for justice in America and the fight for Palestinian liberation are interconnected… no one of us is free unless we all are.”
His attorney, Shezza Abboushi Dallal, hailed the court’s decision as a landmark moment:
“This is a victory for Mohsen, for his right to dissent, and for all people committed to justice and free speech.”
Political Fallout and Support from Lawmakers
The case sparked political pushback across Vermont and in Washington, D.C. The Vermont Senate condemned the manner of his arrest and called for due process, while several Democrats in Congress – including Senator Bernie Sanders – held a rally outside the State Department.
Sanders said:
“He has used his voice to advocate for peace, justice, and dignity. Not only was this action cruel and inhumane, it was unconstitutional.”
What’s Next for Mahdawi?
Though released, Mahdawi’s case is far from over. The Justice Department is still pursuing deportation, citing a controversial letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that claims Mahdawi’s advocacy "undermines U.S. policy to combat antisemitism" and the Middle East peace process.
Mahdawi, who immigrated to the U.S. over a decade ago and began studies at Columbia in 2021, says he has stepped back from student organizing since March 2024. Still, he remains a symbol of the growing tension between student activism and federal immigration policy.
From his time in detention, Mahdawi told NPR:
“I’m centered. Internally, I am at peace. I know this is injustice, but I have faith that justice will prevail.”
A Growing Movement: More Cases Like Mahdawi’s Emerging
Mahdawi’s case is not isolated. This week, a federal judge in New Jersey allowed another case — brought by Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, also a Columbia graduate — to move forward.
The legal battles ahead may shape how America balances freedom of speech, immigrant rights, and foreign policy in the years to come.
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