Palestinian Columbia Protester Detained by ICE During Citizenship Appointment

[Social Media]

 

Palestinian Columbia Protester Detained by ICE During Citizenship Appointment

 

Palestinian student and activist Mohsen Mahdawi, who had been living in the United States for a decade, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during what was supposed to be the final step in his journey toward American citizenship. The incident occurred Monday at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office in Burlington, Vermont, and has since sparked outrage among civil rights advocates and lawmakers.

Rabid antisemite and 16-year Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi has been taken into custody by ICE.

StopAntisemitism exposed his dangerous antisemitic and anti-American rhetoric in 2024.

Justifying, glorifying, and promoting terrorism while a guest in America is no longer… pic.twitter.com/DGyeuCfXAH

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) April 14, 2025

 

According to The Intercept, Mahdawi, who originally came from the West Bank and had obtained a green card during his time in the U.S., was actively involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University. He had served as a leader of Columbia’s Palestinian student union and was a visible presence at anti-Israel protests on the university’s Morningside Heights campus up until the spring.

 

 

The arrest, captured on video and circulated on social media, shows Mahdawi handcuffed and being escorted by federal agents into an unmarked vehicle. Speaking to The Intercept, Mahdawi described his detention as a life-threatening consequence. “It’s kind of a death sentence,” he said. “Because my people are being killed unjustly in an indiscriminate way.”

 

 

His lawyer, Luna Droubi, condemned the arrest as baseless and discriminatory. “He was unlawfully detained today for no reason other than his Palestinian identity,” Droubi said. “He came to this country hoping to be free to speak out about the atrocities he has witnessed, only to be punished for such speech.”

 

Neither the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nor the State Department responded to media requests for comment. Columbia University, citing Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) obligations, declined to speak on the matter.

 

Mahdawi had reportedly gone into hiding prior to his arrest, fearing he might become a target of the Trump administration’s broader deportation efforts. During that time, he reached out to Columbia University requesting help with shelter, but, according to him, received no response.

While in hiding, he received a notice that his citizenship interview had been rescheduled from a later date to an earlier one. Concerned that this might be a trap, Mahdawi still chose to attend — and was arrested upon arrival.

 

Mahdawi also claimed that the FBI had visited him late last year but had taken no formal action at the time. Reflecting on his circumstances, he told The Intercept, “This is the outcome. I will be either living or imprisoned or killed by the apartheid system.”

 

In a December 2023 appearance on 60 Minutes, Mahdawi criticized then-Columbia President Minouche Shafik’s response to the Hamas attack on Israel, arguing it failed to acknowledge Palestinian suffering. “That’s why they’re crushing universities now, it’s not only about Palestine,” he said. Despite everything, Mahdawi expressed belief in the American people: “People ask me why I would want to become a citizen of a country committing genocide. I have faith in the people living in this country. The government is not the people.”

 

His arrest drew sharp criticism from lawmakers, including Vermont’s Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who issued a joint statement with Senator Peter Welch and Representative Becca Balint. “Mohsen Mahdawi of White River Junction, Vermont was illegally detained by ICE during what was supposed to be the final step in his citizenship process,” Sanders wrote on X. “Mr. Mahdawi, a legal resident of the US, must be afforded due process under the law and immediately released from detention.”

 

Based on a report by NYP  2025-04-16

 

Related Topic:

Democrats Face Backlash for Supporting Arrested Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil

 

 

[mikeymike100]

Good news, look like America dodged a bullet there!

[Lung Mark]

Who needs more agitators? 

[Chomper Higgot]

It seems this is precisely the Malicious Deep State Trump and his supporters, both foreign and domestic, have been saying is a law unto itself.

[riclag]

58 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Good news, look like America dodged a bullet there!

The far lefts dog whistling to all the sick  

leftist who hate my country & jews are rightfully being matched with lawfare.

 

I like to see more agitators & Insurgents  rounded up!

[FritsSikkink]

7 minutes ago, riclag said:

The far lefts dog whistling to all the sick  

leftist who hate my country & jews are rightfully being matched with lawfare.

 

I like to see more agitators & Insurgents  rounded up!

Is that because you only like free speech when it suits you?

[WDSmart]

Despicable! 😡

[Chomper Higgot]

53 minutes ago, riclag said:

The far lefts dog whistling to all the sick  

leftist who hate my country & jews are rightfully being matched with lawfare.

 

I like to see more agitators & Insurgents  rounded up!

‘Lawfare’ would imply some semblance of judicial process.

You the ‘judicial process’ you expect if ever you are arrested.

[NickyLouie]

Excellent work, this what we all voted for !!!!

 

He can go protest back in Gaza .....

[Magictoad]

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

Is that because you only like free speech when it suits you?

What we have witnessed this last year has nothing to do with free speech but more to do with the expression of vile hatred and anti semititism. The latter being an integral part of palestinian beliefs. It's both shocking and sad to see how many young men and women joined in this rally against the Jews across Europe & The USA and Britain. It was a disgrace.  This week is a memorial of 80 years since Bergen Belsen was liberated. It is also a shame and a disgrace that those idiots chanting against Israel have no idea what Bergen Belsen was.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 hour ago, WDSmart said:

Despicable! 😡

 

  I agree, he was terrible 

[WDSmart]

17 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

1 hour ago, WDSmart said:

Despicable! 😡

 

  I agree, he was terrible 

Of course, as I know you know, I was referring to ICE.

What bothers me is not arresting, trying, and eventually deporting criminal aliens. It's arresting (detaining, no warrant?) and deporting them without a trial. And especially, in this case, if the "charges" are only engaging in free speech without breaking any laws or rules.

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

Of course, as I know you know, I was referring to ICE.

What bothers me is not arresting, trying, and eventually deporting criminal aliens. It's arresting (detaining, no warrant?) and deporting them without a trial. And especially, in this case, if the "charges" are only engaging in free speech without breaking any laws or rules.

 

   He's having his visa revoked for participating in criminal acts and attacking American citizens 

[mikeymike100]

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

Is that because you only like free speech when it suits you?

Free speech sometimes has consequences!

[WDSmart]

10 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   He's having his visa revoked for participating in criminal acts and attacking American citizens 

I re-read the article above twice and searched with his name online, and did not see any mention of criminal acts or attacking American (USA)  citizens. If you know where there are any documented online, please give me a reference to them. 

[WDSmart]

4 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Free speech sometimes has consequences!

Yes, I agree, and as long as Trump is president, free speech may indeed become more and more dangerous. 😒

[SLOWHAND225]

Good.

People used to immigrate to America to become Americans. Now they come there to live like they did in whatever rathole they came from. This should have started in the 70's. 
I'll take it though, better late than never.

[Nick Carter icp]

6 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

I re-read the article above twice and searched with his name online, and did not see any mention of criminal acts or attacking American (USA)  citizens. If you know where there are any documented online, please give me a reference to them. 

 

   Can you not remember when it was previously posted in other threads ?

   I can still remember when it was previously posted on these forums , look again in those threads to refresh your memory 

[WDSmart]

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Can you not remember when it was previously posted in other threads ?

   I can still remember when it was previously posted on these forums , look again in those threads to refresh your memory 

 

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Can you not remember when it was previously posted in other threads ?

   I can still remember when it was previously posted on these forums , look again in those threads to refresh your memory 

No, and I couldn't find the details of why he was arrested online, other than being here on a visa, ready to get a Green Card (Permanent Residency), and one of the leaders of a pro-Palestinian/anti-Israeli movement at his university. It didn't say he broke any laws or physically attacked anyone . I guess from your reply, you can't find any more details on this either. 

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

 

No, and I couldn't find the details of why he was arrested online, other than being here on a visa, ready to get a Green Card (Permanent Residency), and one of the leaders of a pro-Palestinian/anti-Israeli movement at his university. It didn't say he broke any laws or physically attacked anyone . I guess from your reply, you can't find any more details on this either. 

 

   He was the leader of a group that committed criminal damage , trespass at the Uni and also attacked Jewish students , as they were all wearing masks he couldn't be identified .

   But he was there to study , he wouldn't have been allowed to get a student visa if he stated his intentions 

[WDSmart]

6 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   He was the leader of a group that committed criminal damage , trespass at the Uni and also attacked Jewish students , as they were all wearing masks he couldn't be identified .

   But he was there to study , he wouldn't have been allowed to get a student visa if he stated his intentions 

So, IMO, the best anyone could say was that he is ACCUSED of being one of those masked persons who committed crimes and attacked people. So, if he is ACCUSED of that, I say his arrest is okay (if there was a warrant issued), and now he should be tried. If he's found guilty, then it's okay with me that part of his punishment is a cancellation of his visa and deportation. But, if he's not found guilty, all he should be given is an apology and a Green Card. 

[WDSmart]

8 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  Hes having his educational visa revoked for not complying with the terms for it being approved

I know it's too much to ask you what those terms are. I don't expect you to know that detail, but if you have any reference sto that, or if you do know or even think you do, please tell me. I'm sure these terms do not include giving up his right to free speech or expressing opinions that challenge the current US policies. 

[Bkk Brian]

He was on a student visa for 16 years...lol. He is also facing a lawsuit from some of the hostage families.

 

Talk about abuse of the system. Bit more on him here from an article a year ago.

 

Mohsen Mahdawi

Mohsen Mahdawi, an anti-Israel activist who has no income producing job yet manages to be a student for nearly sixteen years at elite Universities like Columbia, openly advocates for the destruction of Israel and justifies Hamas terrorism. He actively participates in the radical anti-Israel movement and serves as co-president of Columbia’s Palestinian Student Union (DAR), an organization advocating for the end to Israel. Mahdawi has openly expressed support for eliminating Israel, leading protests with chants such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

https://stopantisemitism.org/as-week/mohsen-mahdawi/

 

Mahdawi was also co-president of Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which celebrated the Oct. 7 terror attack

The university later suspended the group in November 2023 for repeated violations of campus policy around protests.

Families of hostages still held by Hamas after the terror attack filed a lawsuit last month that alleged SJP had advance knowledge of Hamas’ bloody plans, accusing it of being “Hamas’ American propaganda arm” 

https://nypost.com/2025/04/15/us-news/columbia-protester-mohsen-madawi-threatened-and-intimidated-jewish-students-state-department/

 

The State Department possesses evidence that Mohsen Mahdawi directly instructed extremists to physically assault students.

They also state that his pro-terror social media presence barely scratches the surface of his deeper support for Hamas.

 

 

He was of course friends with Mahmoud Khalil who went through his due process with the judge ordering him to be deported. 

 

 

 

 

[OneManShow]

11 hours ago, Social Media said:

” Sanders wrote on X. “Mr. Mahdawi, a legal resident of the US, must be afforded due process under the law and immediately released from detention.”

🤔🤨😂🤣

[Chomper Higgot]

58 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   He was the leader of a group that committed criminal damage , trespass at the Uni and also attacked Jewish students , as they were all wearing masks he couldn't be identified .

   But he was there to study , he wouldn't have been allowed to get a student visa if he stated his intentions 

So how do you know it was him if her was wearing a mask?

 

One of those reports you can’t find?

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So how do you know it was him if her was wearing a mask?

 

One of those reports you can’t find?

 

   I am not naive , gullible or stupid .

But even if he wasn't there , he was the leader and that makes him responsible .

  The USA doesn't want him in their Country  

[MicroB]

4 hours ago, Lung Mark said:

Who needs more agitators? 

 

So time to strip citizenship from people who hold un-American values, or who support terrorism. I expect a root and branch investigation of the Kennedy clan, to check their private beliefs, vis a vie the so-called Armed Struggle. Obviously Klansmen, and extension, their kin, because they clearly don't believe in the opening lines to the Declaration of Independence. David Duke to start with.

 

A Semite being accused of being Anti-Semitic.

 

I view Sein Fein as being the political wing of a terrorist organisation, the PIRA.  PIRA attacked my dad because of who he was. Sein Fein think of themselves as that as well, but apparently thats ok, because for now, PIRA has stood down. They even have a US supporters organisation, the membership of whom need to be investigated for anything un-American (a comibination of support for a cause that used terrorism, and contact with the law (theft, murder, DUI, speeding etc). Quite a few will be dual national, either because they are naturalised Americans, or, because of Irish nationality laws, have acquired Irish citizenship. Thus, if they were stripped of their US citizenshp, they cannot be  rendered stateless.

 

Any  American, with dual Irish citizenship, or an entitlement to Irish citizenship (ie grandmother from the Emerald Isle, terrorists can be sneaky sleepers), if they are convicted of committing an offence, should be deported on the presumption that to commit an offence, and be Irish, must make them a potential terrorist. Include letter writers to the Times and Post, because they are obvious agitators that America doesn't need.

 

Also need to look at those with connections to the Stern Gang, either familial, or through shared political belief.  If you sympathized with their aims, that makes you a terrorist. Or Un-American.

 

I think at one time there was a would-be Scottish terrorist group, who went around burning down Bothiesm painting things and shouting a lot. Tricky lot, those Scots. Never turn your back on a Campbell might be true for the lot of them.

 

Or course, 100% facetious. You lot in Thailand; if your visa is canceled, the rozzers aren't around in the morning to drag you to a dungeon. You have some notice to vacate the country.

[Nick Carter icp]

Just now, MicroB said:

 

So time to strip citizenship from people who hold un-American values, .

 

   He wasn't a USA citizen though , hes just getting his student visa revoked 

[Chomper Higgot]

39 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   I am not naive , gullible or stupid .

But even if he wasn't there , he was the leader and that makes him responsible .

  The USA doesn't want him in their Country  

I don’t know why you felt the need to make such a declaration.

[Evil Penevil]

57 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

I know it's too much to ask you what those terms are. I don't expect you to know that detail, but if you have any reference sto that, or if you do know or even think you do, please tell me. I'm sure these terms do not include giving up his right to free speech or expressing opinions that challenge the current US policies. 

 

Broadly speaking, foreign citizens who are permitted to study in the U.S.  are expected to obey the laws of the U.S. and the rules of the educational institution they attend.  Violation of either can be grounds for loss of their visa.  Remember, a student visa is a privilege, not a right, and revoking a visa is an administrative procedure that doesn't require a criminal trial or conviction.

 

The State Department Web site on student visas includes a page called "Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws."   It lists reasons for denying a student visa.  Those same reasons can also result in failure to renew or revocation of an existing visa.   https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/waivers.html#visa  Take a look at  "Section 212{a} of the Immigration and Nationality Act," then "Criminal and related grounds"  and "Security and related grounds."  They give numerous examples of the types of activities forbidden to foreign students in the U.S.

 

Again, for what seems like the hundredth time, it isn't a free speech issue.  Mohsen Mahdawi, Mahmoud Khalil and other student activists have gone far beyond lawful protest.  They have participated in encampments and occupation of buildings, which are illegal.