MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A Palestinian student, Mohsen Mahdawi, who was arrested during an immigration interview for finalizing his U.S. citizenship, is set to help launch a new initiative aimed at assisting immigrants facing deportation in Vermont. This notable event comes just a week after a federal judge ordered his release from custody on April 30, after he had spent 16 days incarcerated.
Mahdawi, 34, gained attention as a prominent figure protesting against Israel's actions in Gaza at Columbia University. His arrest was part of a broader trend, as immigration authorities have targeted college students nationwide since the beginning of the Trump administration, particularly those involved in protests related to the Israel-Hamas war, which has resulted in the deaths of over 52,000 Palestinians. The Trump administration has indicated that Mahdawi's activism poses a threat to U.S. foreign policy, prompting calls for his deportation. However, the judge ruled in favor of Mahdawi, stating he raised a "substantial claim" that his arrest was aimed at suppressing dissenting speech.
In a show of solidarity, Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, Senate Majority Leader Kesha Ram Hinsdale, and community advocates will gather at the Statehouse to announce the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund. This initiative, which includes lawyers and philanthropists, aims to enhance access to legal services for immigrants while building a sustainable framework within the immigration justice system.
Mahdawi's case has garnered considerable support, with members of Vermont's congressional delegation and local politicians advocating for his rights. The Vermont House and Senate passed resolutions condemning the conditions surrounding his detention and urging for his release and due process. Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, expressed his disapproval of the tactics used during Mahdawi's arrest at an immigration office in Colchester, stressing that law enforcement must operate transparently and not in secrecy.
Born in a refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Mahdawi moved to the United States in 2014 as a legal permanent resident. At Columbia University, he co-founded the Palestinian Student Union and organized protests. Recently, he participated in demonstrations advocating for Palestinian rights. His release is currently under governmental challenge, but it permits him to travel out of Vermont and attend his graduation ceremony at Columbia in New York later this month.
Overall, Mahdawi emphasizes the importance of justice and resilience in his activism, stating, "Justice is inevitable. We will not fear anyone because our fight is a fight for love, a fight for democracy, a fight for humanity." His upcoming initiative aims to support not only himself but countless other immigrants facing similar legal challenges in Vermont.
