• Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi arrested by DHS during his citizenship interview.
• Mahdawi claims his arrest was retaliation for pro-Palestinian activism.
• A Vermont judge temporarily halted any deportation proceedings against him.
• Peer activist Mahmoud Khalil also faces deportation after being arrested under similar conditions.
• Legal representatives argue his detainment violates his First Amendment rights.

Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi, who was in the process of applying for U.S. citizenship, was unexpectedly arrested by federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during a naturalization interview in Colchester, Vermont. His attorney, Luna Droubi, stated that Mahdawi's arrest represents a "direct retaliation for his advocacy on behalf of Palestinians" and reflects an unconstitutional effort to silence dissent regarding the Gaza situation, according to The Hill.

Mahdawi has held a green card since 2015 and co-founded the Palestinian Student Union at Columbia with fellow activist Mahmoud Khalil. Both have faced increasing scrutiny from U.S. immigration authorities, particularly after pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, which intensified following the outbreak of violence in Gaza in late 2023. In a separate case, Khalil has already been ruled by an immigration judge as being subject to deportation, which critics argue is an infringement on the students' rights to free speech, asserts Reuters.

In previous statements, Mahdawi expressed his fears that the citizenship interview was a "honey trap," a possible setup leading to his arrest. He noted the long anticipation of this interview, stating, "I've been waiting for this for more than a year," highlighting the intertwined politics of his activism and immigration status, as reported by CBS News.

The Vermont federal court has since issued a temporary restraining order that prevents the government from moving him out of the state pending further judicial review. "His capabilities to express himself freely have been stifled, marking a significant impediment to his rights as a permanent resident," according to The New York Times.

Legal experts and politicians have condemned Mahdawi's arrest, including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who labeled the action "immoral, inhumane, and illegal." The broader implications suggest that the Trump administration may be using immigration law to target individuals based on their political beliefs and activism, echoing sentiments expressed by critics of U.S. immigration policies toward international students with pro-Palestinian perspectives, according to Al Jazeera.