A Columbia University student known for his outspoken activism around Palestinian rights was arrested Monday by the Department of Homeland Security, sparking legal backlash and concerns over political targeting. Mohsen Mahdawi, a permanent U.S. resident and co-founder of Columbia’s Palestinian Student Union alongside Mahmoud Khalil, was taken into custody following his naturalization interview in Vermont.
The arrest comes just weeks after Khalil’s detention, also by DHS, for his role in leading protests over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Both cases are drawing national attention for what civil rights advocates are calling politically motivated retaliation under the Trump administration.
Mahdawi, who is expected to graduate from Columbia University next month, has been a central figure in student-led protests. His activism included organizing demonstrations and appearing on national television to speak about his experience growing up in a West Bank refugee camp. In December 2023, he appeared on “60 Minutes,” recounting the traumatic death of his best friend at the hands of an Israeli soldier during his childhood.
After his arrest, Mahdawi’s legal team swiftly filed a habeas petition, calling the detention unlawful and a violation of his First Amendment rights. The petition alleges that Mahdawi is being punished for his political speech and organizing activity critical of Israel. His attorneys argued that he faces imminent danger if deported to the West Bank, where his family has reportedly endured persecution and torture.
A U.S. District Court judge granted a temporary restraining order that blocks the government from removing Mahdawi from the jurisdiction for the time being. His legal team said this was an important step toward ensuring his safety while the court reviews the case.
The Department of Homeland Security has yet to issue an official statement. Immigration and Customs Enforcement referred questions to the State Department, which has not commented on the situation. The case hinges on a controversial section of immigration law—INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i)—which gives the Secretary of State the authority to order the removal of any noncitizen if their presence is believed to have potential adverse consequences for U.S. foreign policy.
In a related development, DHS previously submitted a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to justify the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil. Rubio’s statement claimed that Khalil’s participation in protests created a “hostile environment” for Jewish students and said that even lawful actions can qualify a person for deportation if they are deemed politically problematic. An immigration judge recently ruled in favor of deporting Khalil on that basis.
Khalil, a green card holder and married to a U.S. citizen, had completed his graduate studies at Columbia in December. He was living in university housing when arrested by ICE in March. Like Mahdawi, he had played a visible role in student activism, pushing Columbia to divest from Israeli companies and sever institutional ties with the country.
Both Mahdawi and Khalil were known for their leadership in the Palestinian Student Union and their prominent roles in protests. Critics fear their arrests reflect a larger crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices, especially noncitizen students.
Supporters say Mahdawi’s case is emblematic of a dangerous trend: the weaponization of immigration law to silence dissent. His lawyers argue that if deported to the West Bank, he would likely face the same fate as many members of his family—detention, harassment, or worse. They also emphasized the impact of recent smear campaigns that they claim have endangered Mahdawi’s safety and reputation.
Civil rights advocates warn that if these arrests are allowed to proceed, they could set a precedent for punishing political speech, particularly among immigrant communities. They also argue it creates a chilling effect on campus activism. At Columbia and other universities, students are reportedly becoming hesitant to engage in protest or speak publicly about contentious political issues, fearing that their immigration status could be used against them.
Faculty members are also raising concerns about academic freedom. Several have spoken out anonymously, saying they worry this kind of federal intervention undermines the university’s commitment to free speech and open debate. They believe this sends a troubling message: that students who speak out on global issues, especially those with ties to regions of conflict, could face severe personal consequences.
For now, Mahdawi remains in custody, with his future uncertain. He has lived in the United States since 2014 and has been a legal resident for the past decade. His goal was to complete his education and become a U.S. citizen—a process that was supposed to culminate with his recent naturalization interview. Instead, it marked the start of an unexpected legal ordeal.
As his case moves forward, it is being closely watched by legal experts, civil rights groups, and academic institutions nationwide. Many see it as a test case that could define how far the government is willing to go in using immigration laws to control political expression.
Mahdawi’s arrest, coupled with Khalil’s deportation order, has galvanized student activists and raised urgent questions about the boundaries of lawful dissent. For now, their supporters continue to fight in court and on campus, warning that the price of political speech in America should not be detention and deportation.
