Mon Apr 14 23:35:14 UTC 2025: ## Columbia University Student Arrested During Citizenship Interview
**New York, April 15, 2025** – Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University and a legal U.S. permanent resident, was arrested by immigration authorities on Monday, April 14, during a citizenship interview in Vermont. The arrest, which was captured on video, sparked outrage from lawmakers and activists who allege it is part of a wider crackdown on pro-Palestinian student activism under the Trump administration.
Mahdawi, co-founder of a Palestinian student group at Columbia, was reportedly handcuffed and taken away by plainclothes officers. His lawyers immediately filed a court motion seeking his release and a halt to any deportation, arguing that the administration’s actions violate the U.S. Constitution. A temporary restraining order has been issued preventing his deportation or removal from Vermont.
This incident follows the March arrest of fellow Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, also a prominent figure in pro-Palestinian protests. Similar actions have been taken against students at other universities, including Tufts and Columbia, with court orders temporarily blocking their deportations as well.
Senator Bernie Sanders and other Vermont lawmakers condemned the arrest, describing it as an alarming escalation of tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Critics argue the arrests chill free speech and target individuals based on their political views. The Palestinian Youth Movement has described Mahdawi’s arrest as a continuation of a campaign targeting student activists who have spoken out against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The administration has yet to officially comment on the arrest. The case is expected to further fuel ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy and free speech in the United States.
First Piper 