Overview

• Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, was detained by ICE in mid-April during his naturalization appointment in Vermont.
• A federal judge in Vermont ruled on April 30 that Mahdawi posed no public danger and ordered his release on bail after two weeks in detention.
• Mahdawi, a Green Card holder for ten years, has been a vocal organizer of campus protests advocating for Palestinian rights, drawing scrutiny from the Trump administration.
• The Department of Homeland Security has defended its actions, citing concerns about individuals allegedly supporting violence, though no charges have been filed against Mahdawi.
• Critics, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have condemned the detention as unconstitutional, raising concerns about free speech and targeting of lawful residents.