White River Junction, Vermont – Palestinian green card holder and Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi was detained by US immigration authorities in Vermont on Monday, as confirmed by his legal representatives and a video of the incident.

Mahdawi, a prominent figure in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia, was taken into custody by Ice during a naturalization interview in Colchester, Vermont, according to a statement from his lawyer Luna Droubi. Despite efforts to locate him, Mahdawi’s whereabouts remained unknown, prompting his legal team to file for a habeas petition and seek a restraining order preventing his removal from the country.

Allegations from Droubi suggest that Mahdawi’s detention was a retaliatory action by the Trump administration due to his advocacy for Palestinians and his Palestinian heritage. The Department of Homeland Security did not provide immediate comment on the matter.

In a court filing, Mahdawi’s attorneys argue that his arrest infringes upon his constitutional rights, statutory rights, and due process, emphasizing his lawful permanent resident status and tenure in the US. Raised in a West Bank refugee camp, Mahdawi migrated to the US in 2014 and became a green card holder in 2015.

As a Columbia University student set to graduate in 2025, Mahdawi had been accepted into a master’s program at the School of International and Public Affairs. Known for his vocal opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Mahdawi had ceased organizing protests on campus in March 2024, according to his lawyers.

The arrest occurred Monday morning when Department of Homeland Security agents apprehended and detained Mahdawi, even though he holds permanent residency in the US. Legal filings suggest he may face deportation under a rarely used provision that has been invoked in similar cases, like that of Mahmoud Khalil.

Vermont senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, along with representative Becca Balint, denounced the arrest as immoral, inhumane, and illegal, urging Mahdawi’s release. A video circulating online shows Mahdawi being escorted by officers from a building to a vehicle, his hands restrained in handcuffs.

Mahdawi’s inclusion in a list by Canary Mission, a group known for identifying individuals deemed anti-Israel, added further scrutiny to his case. As the situation unfolds, advocates and lawmakers are closely monitoring the proceedings in support of Mahdawi’s rights and well-being.