Student freed by court: Mohsen Mahdawi Released from Immigration Detention
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green-card holder and Columbia University student, was released from immigration detention on Wednesday after a federal judge in Vermont ordered his release. Mahdawi had been detained and ordered deported by the Trump administration on April 14 despite not being charged with a crime.
Background of the Case
Mahdawi was arrested by ICE in Colchester, Vermont, while attending a naturalization interview. He is one of a number of international students who have been detained in recent months for their advocacy on behalf of Palestinians. The Trump administration is attempting to deport them using an obscure statute that gives the secretary of state the right to revoke the legal status of people in the country deemed a threat to foreign policy.
Still on Student freed by court
The Court’s Decision
US District Judge Geoffrey Crawford stated that the evidence before the court “suggests that Mr. Mahdawi is neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community, and his release will not interfere with his removal proceedings.” Crawford ordered that Mahdawi be released from prison on bail, pending the resolution of his case in federal court.
Reaction to the Release
Mahdawi’s attorneys argued that he was being unlawfully detained in “retaliation for his speech advocating for Palestinian human rights” and that it was “part of a policy intended to silence and chill the speech of those who advocate for Palestinian human rights.” Upon his release, Mahdawi greeted supporters and thanked them for their support. “For anybody who is doubting justice, this is a light of hope and faith in the justice system in America,” he said.
Implications of the Case
The case highlights the Trump administration’s efforts to target individuals who advocate for Palestinian human rights. Critics say that the crackdown constitutes an unprecedented assault on free speech. The case also raises questions about the use of immigration laws to silence dissenting voices.
Continued Legal Battle
Mahdawi’s attorneys vowed to continue their legal battle until his constitutional rights are fully vindicated. “Today’s victory cannot be overstated,” said Shezza Abboushi Dallal, one of Mahdawi’s attorneys. “The court’s order to free Mohsen today is a victory for Mohsen, in his just pursuit of continued advocacy for Palestinian lives, and it is a victory for all people in this country invested in their ability to dissent and speak and protest for causes they are morally drawn to.”
Support from the Community
The Vermont Senate voted to condemn “the manner and circumstances” of Mahdawi’s arrest, and called for his immediate release. Several Democratic members of Congress, including Senator Bernie Sanders, rallied outside of the State Department on his behalf. “He has used his voice to advocate for peace, justice and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis,” Sanders said. “Not only was this action cruel and inhumane, most importantly, it was illegal, it was unconstitutional.”
Ongoing Cases
Other Palestinian activists, including Rümeysa Öztürk and Badar Khan Suri, remain detained and continue to fight against their deportation. A federal judge in New Jersey ruled that a lawsuit filed by Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil can proceed. The cases highlight the ongoing debate over free speech, immigration, and human rights in the United States.
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