Palestinian Student Detained in the U.S. Over Pro-Palestinian Activism

• Palestinian student detained in the U.S.
• Pro-Palestinian activism cited as the cause
• Support from Columbia’s Palestine Coalition

Palestinian student Mohsen Mahdawi was detained in the U.S. last Monday while attending an interview related to his citizenship process.

Mahdawi, who was scheduled to graduate next month with a degree in Philosophy from Columbia University, was arrested by immigration officials in Vermont, despite having held permanent resident status for 10 years.

According to his legal team, the arrest was directly linked to his pro-Palestinian activism and his involvement in campus demonstrations supporting Palestine.

A video circulating on social media shows Mahdawi being escorted by two immigration agents, one wearing a jacket labeled HSI (Homeland Security Investigations).

Mohsen Mahdawi’s Attorney Denounces Political Retaliation

Mohsen Mahdawi’s lawyer, Luna Droubi, called the arrest a “direct act of political retaliation” by the Trump administration for the student’s participation in anti-war protests denouncing Israel’s actions in Gaza last year.

She described the arrest as “unconstitutional” and an attempt to silence voices calling out alleged atrocities in Gaza.

Born in the West Bank, Mahdawi has taken part in several protests since 2023 and co-founded Dar: Columbia University’s Palestinian Student Society.

In a 2023 interview, he recounted abuse by Israeli soldiers and shared that two of his cousins had been killed during recent clashes in the region.

A committed Buddhist, Mohsen Mahdawi has consistently advocated for nonviolence and empathy.

In December, he appeared on CBS’s 60 Minutes, where he accused Israel of genocide but also called for dialogue with Jewish and Israeli communities.

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Despite his legal residency, Mahdawi was placed in a detention center in Boston. His attorney filed an emergency motion to prevent his transfer out of Vermont or deportation.

Federal Judge William Sessions granted the request immediately.

Context of Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Activism

Mohsen Mahdawi’s case joins a growing list of detained Palestinian students in the U.S., including Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk, also arrested for participating in Gaza-related protests.

The Columbia Palestine Solidarity Coalition issued a statement of support, calling Mahdawi a peaceful student leader targeted solely for his activism.

This arrest comes amid rising crackdowns on pro-Palestinian activism in the U.S., as the Trump administration continues its aggressive immigration and campus policy stance. Measures include visa revocations for foreign students involved in political demonstrations.

Critics argue such actions violate free speech and student rights.

Senator Bernie Sanders has also weighed in, calling Mohsen Mahdawi’s detention illegal and demanding his immediate release.

The U.S. government, meanwhile, defends its actions as necessary for national security and to combat antisemitism on college campuses.

SOURCE: LA PRENSA GRÁFICA