Mohsen Mahdawi Details Near Deportation and Release from ICE Custody

Near Deportation and Detention

• 🎯 Mohsen Mahdawi recounts how ICE agents attempted to deport him, with tickets printed and a flight booked from Burlington airport.
• ✈️ They narrowly missed a commercial airplane by nine minutes, an event that ultimately allowed his attorneys time to intervene.

Legal Intervention and Release

• ⚖️ Mahdawi's attorneys were able to file a temporary restraining order, preventing his removal from the state and leading to a judge's order for his release from federal immigration custody.
• 🎓 This intervention allowed him to remain in Vermont, potentially attend his graduation, and start his master's program in the fall, though he is still fighting detention and deportation.

Justice Department Appeal

• 🏛️ The Justice Department has announced its intention to appeal the court order that led to Mahdawi's release.
• ⚠️ This appeal is a typical government response when a court decision is not in their favor, indicating they wish for Mahdawi to remain detained.

Past Allegations and Judge's Findings

• 🔍 An incident from 2015 involving alleged statements led to an FBI investigation, which was closed without charges.
• ✅ The judge noted that the FBI's decision to close the case indicated that the allegations were unfounded, despite the government potentially trying to use this past incident to argue Mahdawi is a security risk.