Mahdawi, who has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, was apprehended on Monday. The organizer of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University and co-founder of its Palestinian Student Society, he is currently a green card holder scheduled to graduate next month. Luna Droubi, his attorney, asserts that the arrest was a direct effort by the Trump administration to silence dissent regarding the Gaza situation.
Social media footage shows him being escorted by officers, prompting Droubi to file for a temporary restraining order to stop his potential deportation. A federal judge granted the order following the filing, expressing concerns about his legal rights.
Born in a West Bank refugee camp, Mahdawi moved to the U.S. in 2014 and has maintained permanent resident status since 2015. He identifies as a committed Buddhist, emphasizing non-violence. His criticisms of Israel, including allegations of genocide during a CBS interview, have drawn significant attention to his cause.
The arrest is part of a broader immigration enforcement initiative under Trump's administration, which recently revoked numerous foreign student visas. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has publicly condemned Mahdawi's detention and called for the respect of due process. This situation signals a troubling trend for students expressing political dissent on university campuses, as several others, including fellow activists, also face similar legal challenges amidst an ongoing crackdown.
Social media footage shows him being escorted by officers, prompting Droubi to file for a temporary restraining order to stop his potential deportation. A federal judge granted the order following the filing, expressing concerns about his legal rights.
Born in a West Bank refugee camp, Mahdawi moved to the U.S. in 2014 and has maintained permanent resident status since 2015. He identifies as a committed Buddhist, emphasizing non-violence. His criticisms of Israel, including allegations of genocide during a CBS interview, have drawn significant attention to his cause.
The arrest is part of a broader immigration enforcement initiative under Trump's administration, which recently revoked numerous foreign student visas. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has publicly condemned Mahdawi's detention and called for the respect of due process. This situation signals a troubling trend for students expressing political dissent on university campuses, as several others, including fellow activists, also face similar legal challenges amidst an ongoing crackdown.
