Palestinian Columbia activist Mohsen Mahdawi arrested by DHS at citizenship interview

Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian man concerned in protests at Columbia College, was taken into custody by federal brokers Monday when he arrived at a citizenship interview in Vermont, his attorneys mentioned in courtroom filings. 

Mahdawi’s detention comes because the Trump administration fights to deport fellow Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil.

Mahdawi’s authorized staff instructed CBS Information federal brokers knowledgeable them the Trump administration detained Mahdawi beneath an obscure regulation permitting deportations if the Secretary of State decides somebody poses “antagonistic international coverage penalties for the US.” The administration cited the identical provision to detain Khalil. Mahdawi’s attorneys filed a petition in courtroom asking for his launch, claiming his detention violated the First Modification.

“The Trump administration detained Mohsen Mahdawi in direct retaliation for his advocacy on behalf of Palestinians and due to his identification as a Palestinian,” his legal professional, Luna Droubi, alleged in an announcement. “His detention is an try to silence those that converse out towards the atrocities in Gaza. Additionally it is unconstitutional.”

The Division of Homeland Safety referred CBS Information’ request for remark to the State Division, which didn’t instantly reply to questions.

Mahdawi’s legal professional Luna Droubi mentioned in an announcement Mahdawi’s authorized staff has “not obtained affirmation as to his whereabouts regardless of quite a few makes an attempt to find him.” Federal Decide William Classes quickly barred the federal government from eradicating Mahdawi from Vermont on Monday.

Mahdawi was born in a West Financial institution refugee camp and has been a U.S. lawful everlasting resident for the final decade, based on his attorneys. He accomplished a philosophy program at Columbia late final 12 months, and was anticipated to graduate in Might earlier than searching for a grasp’s diploma from the college this fall.

Khalil and Mahdawi co-founded Columbia’s Palestinian Scholar Union in 2023, Mahdawi’s attorneys mentioned in courtroom paperwork. Khalil later spoke at campus protests over Israel’s conflict within the Gaza Strip, which started after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Mahdawi has drawn consideration prior to now. Betar USA — a controversial pro-Israel group that often encourages the Trump administration to detain pro-Palestinian protest leaders — tweeted a video of Mahdawi in January and mentioned he is on the group’s “deport record.”

Betar spokesman Daniel Levy instructed CBS Information in an announcement the group has “supplied 1000’s of names of jihadis to the Trump Administration of tourists to America who assist Hamas and can proceed to.”

Mahdawi’s attorneys say he has backed a “peaceable political answer” to the Palestinian battle. In a 2023 interview with CBS Information’ “60 Minutes,” Mahdawi instructed Invoice Whitaker a couple of campus rally throughout which an unidentified individual yelled an antisemitic assertion. Mahdawi mentioned he was “shocked” and instructed the individual, “you do not signify us.” 

Mahdawi is the most recent pupil to face immigration detention. Khalil, who additionally holds a inexperienced card, was detained outdoors his Columbia-owned condominium final month. The federal government is searching for his removing from the nation, accusing him of supporting Hamas and taking part in “antisemitic protests and disruptive actions.” When requested to offer proof for Khalil’s detention, the authorities cited a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that mentioned that Khalil’s function in protests on the campus of Columbia College is in battle with American international coverage targets however didn’t present any proof of Khalil declaring assist for Hamas.

Tufts College pupil Rumeysa Ozturk was detained weeks later, along with her attorneys claiming she was focused for co-authoring an op-ed within the pupil newspaper. 

Khalil and Ozturk are each detained in Louisiana. A federal immigration choose dominated final week the federal government can transfer ahead with its push to deport Khalil, however he has till later this month to hunt reduction from deportation. His attorneys have urged they are going to attraction, and he is individually suing over his detention. Ozturk can be suing for her launch, and her attorneys confronted off towards the Trump administration in a listening to Monday. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the follow of revoking visas, writing on X after Khalil’s arrest, “We can be revoking the visas and/or inexperienced playing cards of Hamas supporters in America to allow them to be deported.”

contributed to this report.