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Columbia University Activist Released from Detention Amid Immigration Case
Columbia University activist Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green card holder, is released on bail after being detained by immigration officials for his pro-Palestinian activism, with his immigration case ongoing.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 29: Supporters hold up signs behind U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) during a rally held by Congress members in support of detained Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi in front of the State Department on April 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Mahdawi, a legal U.S. resident, was detained on March 8 during a US citizenship interview and is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday where a judge will determine if he will be deported or released. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
A federal judge in Vermont has ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University activist and permanent legal resident, after more than two weeks in detention. The Trump administration had sought to rescind Mahdawi's green card, citing his pro-Palestinian activism as a threat to national security and foreign policy interests.
Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford of the Federal District Court in Vermont granted Mahdawi's release on bail, citing his extensive ties to the community and peaceful nature. The judge drew parallels between the current political climate and McCarthyism, noting that “this is not the first time that the nation has seen chilling action by the government intended to shut down debate.”
Mahdawi, 34, was detained on April 14 at an immigration appointment in Vermont, which he believed was a step toward becoming a US citizen. His lawyers argued that the detention was an attempt to silence his activism, and over 90 community members, academic experts, and professors attested to his character.
The Department of Homeland Security denounced the judge's decision, claiming that Mahdawi's advocacy for violence and support of terrorists justified his detention. However, Judge Crawford noted that there was no evidence to support these claims.
Mahdawi's release was met with jubilation from supporters, who hailed it as a victory for free speech and dissent. His lawyers said he would be allowed to finish his academic program at Columbia, and Vermont's congressional delegation expressed relief that his constitutional right to due process had prevailed.
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The case highlights the Trump administration's crackdown on student protesters and raises questions about the limits of free speech and activism in the US. Mahdawi's immigration case will continue, but his release from detention gives him a stronger chance to challenge the government's allegations.
