Incident Overview

Mohsen Mahdawi, an activist and student at Columbia University, was arrested by immigration agents this month as he prepared to answer questions for his citizenship test. This unexpected detainment occurred at an immigration office in Colchester, Vermont, where Mahdawi, a green-card holder for a decade, was finalizing his application for naturalization.

Response from Lawmakers

During a recent visit to Mahdawi at the ICE detention center, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) engaged in a dialogue with him regarding his situation. Mahdawi articulated his commitment to the foundational principles of America, citing the significance of free speech and other rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights, saying:

“I wanted to become a citizen of this country because I believe in the principles of this country.”

Context of the Arrest

Mahdawi’s arrest coincided with heightened tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, particularly as he publicly criticized U.S. foreign policy regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Senator Welch noted that memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that Mahdawi’s activism could “potentially undermine” efforts for peace in the region.

Broader Implications for Student Activism

Mahdawi is not alone in facing backlash for his activism. His situation reflects a larger trend in which several student activists have been detained, and many have had their visas revoked in what the Trump administration has termed a fight against antisemitism. Recent court rulings, including a federal judge’s order to restore the legal status of 133 students who lost their F-1 visas, highlight the ongoing legal battles surrounding these issues.

Concerns Over Due Process

Akiva Freidlin, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU-Georgia, commented on the broader implications of these legal actions, stating:

“The Constitution protects everyone on American soil, so the Trump administration cannot ignore due process to unjustifiably threaten students with the loss of immigration status, and arrest and deportation.”

Mahdawi’s Perspective

In his conversation with Senator Welch, Mahdawi expressed confusion over being labeled as anti-Semitic simply for advocating peace and opposing war. He stated:

“Basically, he is describing being anti-war as antisemitic. How could that be possible when my partners, most of my partners at Columbia’s campus and beyond, are Jews and Israelis? My work has been centered on peacemaking, and all I am doing, I am being a human.”

Call for Action

Mahdawi urged his supporters to continue their efforts in upholding democracy and advocating for a stop to the ongoing violence, emphasizing the importance of empathy across national and cultural divides:

“My empathy extends beyond the Palestinian people… and my hope and my dream is to see this conflict, if one might say, to see an end to the war, an end to the killing, to see a peaceful resolution between Palestinians and Israelis.”