Overview

• Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student and U.S. green card holder, was detained by ICE during his naturalization interview in Vermont on April 14, 2025.
• A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing Mahdawi’s removal from Vermont or the U.S. while his case is under review.
• His attorneys argue the detention violates his First Amendment rights and constitutes retaliation for his advocacy on behalf of Palestinians.
• The arrest is part of a broader campaign under the Trump administration targeting pro-Palestinian student activists using rarely invoked immigration laws.
• Vermont’s congressional delegation, including Bernie Sanders, condemned the detention as illegal and called for Mahdawi’s immediate release and due process.