ICE Arrests Columbia Student Mohsen Mahdawi at Citizenship Interview

Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident for over a decade, had previously identified the citizenship interview as a potential trap. His fears followed a targeted campaign by the far-right group Betar, which had publicly named him as a priority for deportation. Following the threats, Mahdawi sought assistance from university officials to relocate for his safety but was reportedly denied support. Legal representatives have now filed a habeas corpus petition, arguing that the detention constitutes a direct violation of his constitutional rights and serves as retaliation for his political speech.

Vermont’s congressional delegation—Sens. Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, along with Rep. Becca Balint—issued a joint statement characterizing the arrest as "immoral, inhumane, and illegal." They described the scene as an aggressive operation involving plain-clothed, masked agents who provided no immediate information regarding Mahdawi's whereabouts or his legal standing. The detention aligns with broader administration efforts, including executive orders and the "catch and revoke" visa program, which critics contend are being weaponized to silence pro-Palestinian activism on American campuses. Attorney Luna Droubi maintains that her client was targeted solely for his identity and his refusal to remain silent regarding the humanitarian crisis in the West Bank.