Mohsen Mahdawi: About the Columbia University Student Threatened With Deportation

Donald Trump‘s administration has cracked down on immigration since the president took office in January. Reports of deportations have risen, and among them was Palestinian Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi. Mahdawi was being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Vermont since April 14, 2025. But with a judge’s fresh order for his unlock from federal custody, Mahdawi’s case has turn out to be a countrywide headline.

In reaction to the pass judgement on’s order for Mahdawi to be launched, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a remark, which learn, “It is a privilege to be granted a visa or green card to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence, glorify and support terrorists that relish the killing of Americans, and harass Jews, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country.”

McLaughlin was once reputedly regarding Mahdawi’s affiliation with a Pro-Palestinian pupil staff at Columbia and for talking out towards Israel’s movements in Gaza.

Upon being launched on bail on April 30, 2025, two weeks after his detainment, Mahdawi had a message for the Trump management: “I am saying it clear and loud to President Trump and his Cabinet: I am not afraid of you,” he mentioned.

Below, be informed extra about Mahdawi.

Mohsen Mahdawi Was Born in a Refugee Camp

The 34-year-old was once born in a refugee camp within the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In 2014, he moved to the United States.

Mohsen Mahdawi Has Been a Legal Vermont Resident for 10 Years

After shifting to the U.S., Mahdawi turned into a prison resident for 10 years and lived in Hartford, Vermont.

Mohsen Mahdawi Co-Founded Columbia’s Palestinian Student Union

According to a couple of shops, Mahdawi co-founded the Palestinian Student Union at Columbia with some other everlasting Palestinian U.S. resident named Mahmoud Khalil, who was once additionally reportedly detained.

Mohsen Mahdawi Is Expected to Graduate in 2025

Mahdawi is anticipated to graduate from Columbia in May 2025 sooner than he starts a grasp’s level program on the college, in step with NBC5.