17 sources·Politics

Columbia Student Mohsen Mahdawi Detained Amid Controversial Immigration Crackdown

Mohsen Mahdawi's arrest at a citizenship interview highlights escalating tensions over pro-Palestinian activism and immigration enforcement under Trump administration.

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  1. US detains Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi at citizenship interview

    The arrest is the latest in a controversial crackdown by the administration of President Donald Trump on immigrant student protesters.

    US detains Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi at citizenship interview

    Al JazeeraAl Jazeera·4d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  2. Another Columbia student, Mohsen Mahdawi, arrested by US immigration officials

    The Trump administration has resisted other court orders on immigration matters, saying for example it does not plan to seek the return of Salvadoran citizen Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States after he was mistakenly deported and sent to a prison in El Salvador.

    Another Columbia student, Mohsen Mahdawi, arrested by US immigration officials

    USA TODAYUSA TODAY·4d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  3. Columbia Pro-Palestinian Protest Leader Seeking Citizenship Detained by ICE

    The move comes weeks after the detention of Mahdawi’s Columbia associate, Mahmound Khalil, as the Trump administration continues to target non-citizen students in a crackdown on alleged support for Hamas during university protests in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by the terrorist group on Israel.

    Columbia Pro-Palestinian Protest Leader Seeking Citizenship Detained by ICE

    Epoch TimesEpoch Times·4d
    Mixed Reliable
    This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
    ·
    Right
    This outlet favors right-wing views.
  5. Another pro-Palestine Columbia protestor detained by ICE, Sanders and Dems outraged

    The Trump administration has been cracking down on widespread antisemitism on college campuses, following years of pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian protests disrupting classes across the country.

    Another pro-Palestine Columbia protestor detained by ICE, Sanders and Dems outraged

    FOX NewsFOX News·4d
    Mostly Reliable
    This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
    ·
    Leans Right
    This outlet slightly leans right.
  6. A Palestinian student leader at Columbia was steps away from his final citizenship interview. He instead faces deportation

    Such transfers underscore ICE’s power in deciding where to house detained migrants – a power that some immigration attorneys say the Trump administration is now using to move disfavored migrants far from their attorneys, families and support systems.

    A Palestinian student leader at Columbia was steps away from his final citizenship interview. He instead faces deportation

    CNNCNN·4d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  9. Palestinian activist who led Columbia protests arrested by ICE in Vermont

    Mahdawi was an outspoken critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and organized campus protests until March 2024.

    Palestinian activist who led Columbia protests arrested by ICE in Vermont

    Boston GlobeBoston Globe·4d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  12. Palestinian Student Leader Was Called In for Citizenship Interview — Then Arrested by ICE

    The filing said it appears that Mahdawi was facing deportation under the obscure provision used in other recent cases that gives Secretary of State Marco Rubio the right to unilaterally declare immigrants as threats to American foreign policy.

    Palestinian Student Leader Was Called In for Citizenship Interview — Then Arrested by ICE

    The InterceptThe Intercept·5d
    Mostly Reliable
    This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
    ·
    Left
    This outlet favors left-wing views.
  1. Al Jazeera
  2. USA TODAY
  3. Epoch Times
  4. CBS News
  5. FOX News
  6. CNN
  7. Boston Herald
  8. BBC News
  9. Boston Globe
  10. Associated Press
  11. The Guardian
  12. The Intercept
Updated: Apr 15th, 2025, 9:26 AM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian activist and senior at Columbia University, was arrested by ICE during a citizenship interview, raising concerns over retaliation against his pro-Palestinian stance. His detention follows a broader crackdown on immigrant student protesters linked to Israel's actions in Gaza. Vermont lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders, labeled the detention as 'immoral and illegal,' insisting on Mahdawi’s right to due process. A federal judge in Vermont has ordered that he not be deported while the legal battle unfolds. Similar actions have targeted other activists, underscoring increasing tensions surrounding immigrant rights and free speech on campuses.

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  • Mohsen Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident and student activist at Columbia University, was arrested by ICE during a routine naturalization interview in Vermont, raising concerns about the legality and motives behind his detention.

  • His attorneys argue that his arrest is a retaliatory act against his pro-Palestinian advocacy and a violation of his constitutional rights, emphasizing that he has been an outspoken critic of Israel's actions in Gaza.

  • A U.S. district judge has ordered that Mahdawi must not be deported or removed from Vermont, highlighting the legal complexities surrounding his arrest and the broader implications for immigrant activists.

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