Who is Mohsen Mahdawi? Palestinian student leader arrested as he arrived to attend citizenship interview

This image taken from a video provided by Christopher Helali shows Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian man who led protests against the war in Gaza as a student at Columbia University, being detained at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Colchester, Vt., on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Christopher Helali via AP)

Another Palestinian student was detained on Monday for his alleged participation in protests against Israel's Gaza war, according to his lawyer. Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student, was reportedly taken into custody by federal agents when he arrived at a citizenship interview in Vermont.

Mahdawi, who was born and raised in a refugee camp in the West Bank is a permanent resident of the US. He had completed a philosophy programme at Columbia late last year and was expected to graduate in May. He had also planned to do his master's this year. 

His lawyer Luna Droubi said in the court filing that he was taken into custody by the Department of Homeland Security during his naturalization interview in Vermont. "Earlier today, Mohsen Mahdawi of White River Junction, Vermont, walked into an immigration office for what was supposed to be the final step in his citizenship process," they said. "Instead, he was arrested and removed in handcuffs by plainclothes, armed, individuals with their faces covered. These individuals refused to provide any information as to where he was being taken or what would happen to him." 

A video of three officers escorting Mahdawi in handcuffs to an SUV was also shared by a Vermont lawmaker. Andrew Delaney, another one of his attorneys, said Mahdawi is being held in Vermont though they have no received any confirmation about his whereabouts despite numerous attempts to locate him.

A federal judge temporarily blocked his removal Monday after a petition was filed challenging his detention.

Mahdawi's detention comes after another Columbia student and green card holder Mahmoud Khalil was detained by the ICE officials for deportation. Khalil's deportation was barred by a federal judge in New Jersey.

Mahdawi first drew attention after a controversial pro-Israel group that regularly encourages the Trump administration to detain pro-Palestinian protest leaders posted a video, stating he was on the the organization's "deport list." The organisation claims to have provided thousands of "names of jihadis to the Trump Administration of visitors to America who support Hamas." 

According to his lawyers, Mahdawi had stood for a "peaceful political solution" to the Palestinian conflict. He also claimed in an earlier interview to CBS News that he didn't support antisemitic statements.

Middle East