Colchester, Vermont — Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green-card holder and student at Columbia University, was released from immigration detention on Wednesday after more than two weeks behind bars. His experience has ignited a fierce critique of perceived authoritarianism in the United States.

Mahdawi warned that when governments prioritize repression of dissent under the guise of security, it can lead to authoritarian rule. “When they consider my case, all Americans should reflect on what remains of our democracy and contemplate who might be targeted next,” he stated.

The Palestinian human rights advocate was detained and ordered for deportation on April 14 under the Trump administration, despite not facing any criminal charges. He was apprehended by immigration officers during what was supposed to be his citizenship naturalization interview in Colchester.

Mahdawi is part of a growing group of international students who have faced deportation linked to their advocacy for Palestinian rights. The administration has employed obscure legal measures to label these individuals as potential threats to U.S. foreign policy. Unlike many others, Mahdawi managed to avoid immediate deportation, which allowed his legal team to challenge the order effectively.

“Even after spending 16 nights in confinement, I never wavered in my hope for justice and the principles of democracy,” he shared, expressing his desire for U.S. citizenship, which he associates with the country’s foundational values.

He believes the accusations against him are baseless, attributing them to a broader effort to silence dissenting voices. “The government is scraping the bottom of the barrel with its attempts to discredit me. My only ‘crime’ is opposing violence against Palestinians and advocating for peace.”

Having grown up in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, Mahdawi witnessed the devastating impact of conflict firsthand, leading him to seek a life of freedom in the U.S. in 2014. The principles of American democracy motivated his pursuit of citizenship, as he yearned to protect the freedoms he had gained.

“This administration is using security concerns to deny rights and eliminate due process,” he contended, drawing parallels between ongoing actions against dissenters and historical periods of repression like the McCarthy era. His release comes amidst significant strife, as ongoing violence in Gaza has led to countless casualties, predominantly among civilians.

Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford, in his ruling that granted Mahdawi bail, emphasized the troubling trend of detaining legal residents for expressing political opinions, likening it to the dark chapters of American history that suppressed free speech.

Upon regaining his freedom, Mahdawi made a bold statement to supporters and the press: “I am not afraid of you,” addressing President Trump and his administration directly. His case highlights ongoing concerns regarding civil liberties and the treatment of activists advocating for human rights within the current political climate in the U.S.