On a seemingly ordinary Monday morning, Mohsen K. Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, arrived at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office in Colchester, Vermont, with hopes of finally achieving his dream of naturalization after a decade in the United States. Instead of the anticipated citizenship test, he found himself in handcuffs, arrested by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and facing deportation to the occupied West Bank—a place he fears could become a death sentence.
Mahdawi’s story is emblematic of a troubling trend where the intersection of immigration enforcement and political expression has dire consequences for individuals engaged in activism. As a prominent leader in the campus protest movement against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Mahdawi has become a target not just for his political beliefs but for his very identity as a Palestinian. His attorney, Luna Droubi, articulated the gravity of the situation, stating, “Mohsen Mahdawi was unlawfully detained today for no reason other than his Palestinian identity.” This sentiment underscores a growing concern among civil rights advocates about the chilling effect of government actions on free speech, particularly for marginalized communities.
The legal battle began swiftly, with Mahdawi’s lawyers filing a habeas corpus petition challenging the legality of his detention. They argued that the government was infringing upon his statutory and due process rights, alleging that he was being punished for his outspoken views on Palestine and Israel. The petition highlighted an obscure provision that allows the Secretary of State to unilaterally designate immigrants as threats to U.S. foreign policy, a tactic that has raised alarms among legal experts and human rights advocates alike.
As the case unfolded, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent Mahdawi from being moved out of Vermont while the legal proceedings were ongoing. This momentary reprieve, however, does little to alleviate the broader implications of Mahdawi’s situation. He is not alone; he represents the ninth Columbia student targeted for deportation amid a wider crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism in the United States. This trend has intensified since the Trump administration, with groups like Betar and Canary Mission actively seeking to expose and deport foreign students involved in these movements.
Mahdawi’s activism has not gone unnoticed. In December 2023, he appeared in a segment on a national news program discussing antisemitism on college campuses, where he criticized Columbia’s leadership for their perceived indifference to the plight of Palestinians. Following this appearance, he faced increased scrutiny and attacks from various pro-Israel organizations, which labeled him as antisemitic and pro-Hamas. Such allegations have serious repercussions, as they often lead to doxing and harassment, creating a hostile environment for activists.
The escalation of violence in the occupied territories has made Mahdawi’s fears of deportation even more palpable. He has lost family members to the ongoing conflict, and the prospect of returning to a war-torn region where his community has suffered for decades weighs heavily on him. “I will be either living or imprisoned or killed by the apartheid system,” he lamented, reflecting the grim reality faced by many Palestinians under occupation.
In the face of this adversity, Mahdawi sought refuge within his university community, reaching out to administrators for assistance in finding a safe living situation. Unfortunately, his pleas went unanswered, leaving him vulnerable to the very threats he sought to escape. His situation exemplifies a broader issue within academic institutions, where the safety of students engaged in political activism is often compromised.
As the legal battle continues, Mahdawi remains hopeful yet cautious about his future. He has reached out to congressional representatives, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, seeking their support in navigating this perilous situation. “That’s why they’re crushing universities now; it’s not only about Palestine,” he remarked, highlighting the broader implications of governmental efforts to stifle dissent and free speech on campuses across the nation.
Mahdawi’s journey raises critical questions about the intersection of immigration policy, political expression, and human rights. As he grapples with the uncertainty of his future, he remains steadfast in his belief that the struggle for justice transcends borders. “People ask me why I would want to become a citizen of a country committing genocide,” he said. “I have faith in the people living in this country. The government is not the people.”
In a world where political activism can lead to dire consequences, Mahdawi’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by those who dare to speak out against injustice. As his legal team fights for his rights, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for activists and immigrants alike, illuminating the fragile balance between national security and the fundamental right to free speech.
