Palestinian activist arrested by ICE whereas anticipating U.S. citizenship interview

[ad_1] A Palestinian man who led protests in opposition to the warfare in Gaza as a pupil at Columbia College was arrested Monday at a Vermont immigration workplace the place he anticipated to be interviewed about finalizing his U.S. citizenship, his attorneys mentioned.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a authorized everlasting resident who has held a inexperienced card since 2015, was detained on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies workplace in Colchester, Vt., by Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers, his legal professionals mentioned.

The attorneys mentioned they have no idea the place he's and have filed a petition in federal courtroom in search of an order barring the federal government from eradicating him from the state or nation.

"The Trump administration detained Mohsen Mahdawi in direct retaliation for his advocacy on behalf of Palestinians and due to his id as a Palestinian. His detention is an try to silence those that converse out in opposition to the atrocities in Gaza. It's also unconstitutional," legal professional Luna Droubi mentioned in an e-mail.

Based on the courtroom submitting, Mahdawi was born in a refugee camp within the West Financial institution and moved to america in 2014.

He not too long ago accomplished coursework at Columbia in New York and was anticipated to graduate in Might earlier than starting a grasp's diploma program there within the fall.

The petition describes him as a dedicated Buddhist who believes in "non-violence and empathy as a central tenet of his faith."

Arrest 'immoral, inhumane, and unlawful' As a pupil, Mahdawi was an outspoken critic of Israel's army marketing campaign in Gaza and arranged campus protests till March 2024.

He co-founded the Palestinian Pupil Union at Columbia with Mahmoud Khalil, one other Palestinian everlasting resident of the U.S. and graduate pupil who not too long ago was detained by ICE.

Khalil was the primary particular person arrested below President Donald Trump's promised crackdown on college students who joined campus protests in opposition to the warfare in Gaza.

On Friday, an immigration decide in Louisiana dominated that Khalil may be deported as a nationwide safety danger.

Christopher Helali, a good friend of Mahdawi who lives close to him in Vermont, was current outdoors the immigration workplace when Mahdawi was detained and recorded a video of Mahdawi being led away by authorities.

Within the video, which Helali launched on social media Monday, Mahdawi is proven giving a peace signal along with his arms and being led away to a automobile.

Helali described Mahdawi as a peaceable demonstrator who has labored to foster dialogue concerning the battle of Palestinians in his homeland.

Helali mentioned he and Mahdawi had been conscious that Mahdawi could possibly be detained at the moment and that his good friend went ahead with the appointment anyway.

"And rightfully so, he was nervous for what was occurring round him. However he was very a lot resolute in coming to this interview and coming at the moment as a result of he did not do something fallacious and was a law-abiding citizen, or soon-to-be citizen," Helali mentioned.

Vermont's congressional delegation issued an announcement condemning Mahdawi's arrest, saying that as a substitute of taking one of many closing steps in his citizenship course of, he was handcuffed by armed officers with their faces lined.

"That is immoral, inhumane and unlawful. Mr. Mahdawi, a authorized resident of america, have to be afforded due course of below the legislation and instantly launched from detention," mentioned the assertion from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint.