• A Vermont judge has ordered the release of Palestinian student Mohsen Mahdawi after his arrest at a citizenship interview.
• Mahdawi was detained due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests while studying at Columbia University.
• His lawyers argue that his arrest was retaliation for exercising free speech regarding human rights issues.
• The judge expressed skepticism about the government's justification for the arrest, suggesting that it violates First Amendment rights.
• Mahdawi's case reflects broader concerns about the Trump administration's policies on foreign students engaged in political activism.

A U.S. District Judge, Geoffrey Crawford, has ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, who was arrested by U.S. immigration authorities during a citizenship interview on April 14. Mahdawi, who has been a legal permanent resident for ten years, led protests against the Israeli military actions in Gaza and claimed his detention was a direct retaliation for advocating for Palestinian rights, according to court filings and his lawyers' statements, as noted in reports from HuffPost and Los Angeles Times.

In his release order, Judge Crawford articulated that Mahdawi raised substantial claims that his arrest was intended to suppress his freedom of speech, particularly given the political climate surrounding pro-Palestinian protests. The judge emphasized that immigration detention should not be motivated by punitive purposes or a desire to silence dissenting voices, drawing historical comparisons to the McCarthy era, as cited in multiple reports from Reuters, SFGate, and Dawn.

Mahdawi’s arrest highlights concerns over the Trump administration’s broader strategy to deport pro-Palestinian foreign students. Critics assert that the motives behind such detentions amount to an infringement on civil liberties and free speech rights. As noted, Mahdawi is also among those advocating against the alarming trend of deportations targeting students who publicly oppose U.S. foreign policy regarding Israel and Palestine, as reported by South China Morning Post and TRT Global.

Addressing supporters outside the courthouse after his release, Mahdawi reiterated his commitment to peace, stating, “If there is no fear, what is it replaced with? Love, love is our way.” He emphasized the need for unity against oppressive measures and pledged to continue his advocacy for Palestinian rights. His case is emblematic of a growing resistance against the punitive actions faced by activists on U.S. campuses, reinforcing the call for not just political awareness but also action against restrictions on peaceful protest, according to Le Monde.