Palestinian Student Arrested During Citizenship Interview Sparks Outrage

COLCHESTER, Vermont — Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green card holder and Columbia University student, was arrested by U.S. immigration authorities on Monday morning while attending a naturalization interview. Lawyers have since indicated that his current whereabouts remain unknown.

According to his attorney, Luna Droubi, Mahdawi was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Colchester shortly after arriving for the appointment. “We have not received confirmation as to his whereabouts despite numerous attempts to locate him,” Droubi stated in a release. Amid escalating tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian activism in the U.S., his case has drawn significant attention and concern.

Vermont lawmakers — including Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, and Representative Becca Balint — issued a statement condemning the arrest. They argue it is immoral, inhumane, and illegal for the government to detain a legal resident without due process. “Mr. Mahdawi must be afforded due process under the law and immediately released from detention,” the lawmakers asserted.

Mahdawi, who has lived in the U.S. for a decade, is noted for his role in leading protests advocating for Palestinian rights at Columbia, particularly during the conflict in Gaza last spring. His attorney contends that the detention is retaliation for his activism. “He was unlawfully detained for no reason other than his Palestinian identity,” Droubi added. The legal team has filed a habeas petition in the U.S. District Court for Vermont, seeking an order to prevent the government from removing him from jurisdiction.

In a related incident, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, another individual swept up in current immigration matters, has sparked calls for action from lawmakers and human rights advocates alike. Garcia was wrongfully deported to El Salvador despite being protected from such action. Senator Sanders publicly criticized the administration, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to adhere to its own constitutional values.

The growing scrutiny of ICE’s operations comes amid claims from multiple advocates that the agency is systematically targeting pro-Palestinian activists and students on visas or green cards. Numerous cases involve allegations of improper removals and violations of rights.

Organizations such as Detention Watch Network have raised alarms over the implications of these detentions, with executive director Silky Shah stating that the current administration is “normalizing the abduction and removal of people to another country without due process”. Shah urged the public to recognize the broader implications for all individuals in the U.S. — including citizens.

Meanwhile, ICE’s actions have prompted discussions across various campuses, with students and faculty expressing their apprehensions about the impact on academic freedom and speech. President Alan Garber of Harvard University recently released a statement reaffirming the institution’s commitment to uphold civil rights amidst rising tensions over allegations of anti-Semitism and equity issues linked to pro-Palestinian activism. This highlights the pronounced clash between governmental policies and institutional rights.

With ongoing legal battles and public protests, the situation remains highly fluid. Activists plan further demonstrations to advocate for the immediate release of Mahdawi and to address broader concerns relating to U.S. immigration policies.