Palestinian Activist Mohsen Mahdawi Detained by DHS at Vermont Citizenship Interview

Detention of Mohsen Mahdawi

• 📌 Mohsen Mahdawi, a pro-Palestinian activist from Columbia University, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his citizenship interview in Vermont.
• 💬 Mahdawi, who had previously given a 60 Minutes interview that he felt was taken out of context, stated his activism was rooted in love and compassion for all people, including Jewish and Israeli individuals.
• ⚠️ He asserted that accusations of anti-Semitism against the pro-Palestine movement at Columbia University are false.

Circumstances of Detention

• 🎯 Mahdawi was a legal permanent resident of the United States for over five years.
• 🚨 Despite having a temporary protective order to remain in Vermont, there are indications he may have been intended to be moved out of state.
• 🚔 Agents from Homeland Security Investigations, some masked, arrived during his interview, leading to his arrest and removal in multiple vehicles.

Legal Basis and Concerns

• ⚖️ Mahdawi is reportedly being charged under the same provision as Mahmud Khalil, an 18th-century law.
• 📜 This law allows for detention if the Secretary of State declares an individual not aligned with U.S. foreign policy, even without evidence of hate speech or crimes.
• 🇺🇸 Attorneys expressed concern that this provision could lead to deportation orders for individuals who are otherwise U.S. citizens or permanent residents.