Immigration Judge Blocks Deportation of Columbia Student Activist Mohsen Mahdawi

An immigration judge has halted the deportation of Mohsen Mahdawi, a graduate student at Columbia University, who was detained last April due to his vocal support for Palestinian rights. Mahdawi, a green card holder and a refugee camp survivor from the occupied West Bank, served as co-president of the Palestinian Students Union and president of the Columbia University Buddhist Association.

Details of the Case

Mahdawi was detained by ICE agents while attending what he believed was a naturalization interview in Vermont. He spent two weeks in ICE custody before being released by Federal Judge Geoffrey Crawford, who cited historical parallels to periods of political repression in the U.S., such as the Red Scare and the McCarthy era.^{Democracy Now!}

The immigration judge, Nina Froes, terminated the case, finding that a memo used as justification for the deportation—reportedly from Senator Marco Rubio—was unauthenticated. Mahdawi expressed hope that this ruling would set a precedent for other students facing similar deportation threats.^{Democracy Now!}

Distinction Between Immigration and Federal Courts

Mahdawi explained the difference between immigration courts and federal courts, noting that immigration courts operate under the executive branch but are still bound by the rule of law. He emphasized that Judge Froes demonstrated integrity by upholding those rules despite pressure from the Trump administration.^{Democracy Now!}

Mahdawi’s Response and Activism

Following his release from ICE custody, Mahdawi publicly stated, “I am not afraid of you” to President Trump and his administration. He asserted that the administration’s tactics were intended to intimidate activists and suppress dissent.^{Democracy Now!}

Mahdawi highlighted that the protests he and other students participated in were focused on divestment—specifically, divestment from companies supporting the Israeli occupation—as a nonviolent means of achieving peace and justice for Palestinians. He vowed to continue his activism despite the challenges.^{Democracy Now!}

Democracy Now! 30th Anniversary Celebration

The news of Mahdawi’s case was reported during a segment on Democracy Now!, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The celebration, held at Riverside Church in NYC, featured Angela Davis, Michael Stipe, Wynton Marsalis, Naomi Klein, Maria Ressa and Mosab Abu Toha, and was live-streamed on February 23rd at 7 pm ET.^{Democracy Now!Democracy Now!Democracy Now!}