A Vermont judge ordered a detained Palestinian Columbia University student to be released from federal custody on Wednesday, more than two weeks after he was arrested by immigration officials during an interview about finalizing his US citizenship.
Mohsen Mahdawi, a 34-year-old Vermont resident and green card holder of nearly a decade who was raised in the West Bank, had led protests against the war in Gaza as a student at the university, which the US government has called antisemitic behavior that is against US foreign policy interests.
US District Judge Geoffrey William Crawford ordered Mahdawi’s release as the soon-to-be Columbia graduate fights the federal government’s deportation efforts.
“His continued detention would likely have a chilling effect on protected speech, which is squarely against the public interest,” Crawford wrote.
Mahdawi’s attorneys called his release a victory.
“Their claims and actions are baseless, without evidence, and are a disgrace to the US Constitution,” said Luna Droubi, partner of Beldock Levine & Hoffman LLP representing Mahdawi as part of this case. “We will keep fighting until Mohsen is free for good.”
Mahdawi was detained on April 14 during a naturalization interview because the Secretary of State determined Mahdawi’s presence in the country “would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences and would compromise a compelling US foreign policy interest,” according to the court’s order.
The same day the court ordered Mahdawi’s release, the federal government filed appeal the judge’s decision to release Mahdawi pending the outcome of his deportation case.
“When you advocate for violence, glorify and support terrorists that relish the killing of Americans and harass Jews, that privilege should be revoked and you should not be in this country,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, in a statement.
Conditions of Mahdawi’s release include that he remains a Vermont resident, that he has permission to travel to New York to attend school or to meet with his attorneys, and that he attends all court hearings in person unless excused by order of the court.
Mahdawi is one of several student activists detained for their participation in student activism in support of Palestine.
“The people united will never be defeated…To my people in Palestine: I feel your pain, I see your suffering; and I see freedom and it is very very soon,” Mahdawi said in a statement outside the courtroom on Wednesday.
