Targeted for Activism: U.S. Arrests Palestinian Columbia Student Mohsen Mahdawi
A leading voice in the student movement for Palestinian rights, Mahdawi faces deportation despite his legal residency — raising alarms over free speech and selective enforcement in U.S. immigration.
Watan-Mohsen Mahdawi is one of the most prominent activists who led the student movement in the United States. He began his academic journey at Birzeit University in Bethlehem and, in 2021, joined Columbia University to study philosophy. He was expected to graduate in May 2025, but was arrested by U.S. authorities upon arriving at the immigration office to take his citizenship exam.
Background and Early Life
Mohsen Mahdawi was born in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, in central-eastern Palestine. He later moved legally to the United States to continue his education and obtained a permanent resident card (Green Card).
Education and Academic Career
Mahdawi began his academic path at Birzeit University in Bethlehem, Palestine, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering in 2014.
In 2016, he enrolled at Dartmouth College in the U.S., studying computer science in an intensive academic program until 2017.
He then continued his studies at Lehigh University, also in computer science, while actively engaging in student activities.
He founded and led the “Students from the Middle East” organization, was a member of the student council, and launched the “Lehigh Union” — a student body focused on promoting cultural diversity and student justice, notably through a project called “Peace Through Storytelling.”
In 2021, he joined Columbia University to study philosophy and was on track to graduate in May 2025.
Student Activism
At Columbia, Mahdawi was a leading figure in the pro-Palestine student movement, playing a major role in organizing and defending Palestinian rights on campus. Later, he chose to partially step back from direct activism to focus on dialogue-building with Jewish student groups. He adopted an approach centered on bridging perspectives and fostering mutual understanding — without compromising his political beliefs or commitment to the Palestinian cause.
He co-founded the Palestinian student organization DAR, which engages with Palestinian culture, history, and identity through events and cultural programs.
He also led Columbia’s Anti-Apartheid Campaign, a student initiative highlighting double standards and violations against Palestinians.
Alongside fellow student Mahmoud Khalil, he co-founded the Palestinian Students Union at Columbia in 2023, a group that organizes protests and advocacy campaigns for the Palestinian cause.
Arrest
On April 15, 2025, Mahdawi went to the immigration office in White River, Vermont, to take his U.S. citizenship exam after legally residing in the country for ten years.
However, he was handcuffed and arrested on the spot by armed plainclothes agents with covered faces — despite his legal residency status.
According to The Intercept, U.S. immigration authorities have begun procedures to deport him to the occupied West Bank. He has become the second student activist involved in protests against the Israeli war on Gaza to be arrested and face deportation, despite having legal status in the country.
Unlawful Detention
Speaking to The Intercept, his attorney Luna Droubi described his detention as “unlawful,” saying that the only reason for his arrest is his “Palestinian identity.”
She added: “Mohsen came to this country hoping to be free to speak out about the atrocities he witnessed — now he’s being punished for exercising that basic right.”
The site also noted that Mahdawi had previously faced attacks from pro-Israel activists due to his opposition to the war on Gaza.
His lawyers have filed a formal legal challenge, accusing the government of violating his constitutional rights by punishing him for his public political views.
The legal petition noted that the deportation is based on a vague law recently used in similar cases, allowing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate certain residents as a “threat to U.S. foreign policy.”
This arrest came just three days after a U.S. immigration judge allowed the Trump administration to proceed with deporting Mahmoud Khalil, another Palestinian student and Columbia University activist, arrested in New York in March 2025.
U.S. Political Reactions
The arrest sparked widespread political condemnation.
U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib called it “outright kidnapping” and wrote on X (formerly Twitter):“The Department of Homeland Security kidnapped another Palestinian with legal residency simply because of his noble activism against genocide. They targeted him just as he was about to gain U.S. citizenship. These oppressive practices must end. Free Mohsen now.”
Senator Bernie Sanders also condemned the arrest, saying Mahdawi’s detention by ICE was “unlawful” and affirming that he is a legal resident entitled to full legal rights — including immediate release.
