Mohsen Mahdawi, a pro-Palestinian student at Columbia University, graduated with a degree in philosophy less than three weeks after being released from immigration custody. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had revoked his visa, accusing him of playing a major role in pro-Palestinian protests on campus in 2023. Subsequently, Mahdawi was arrested in April during an interview for U.S. citizenship verification. A federal judge later ordered his release, claiming he was punished solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
He was enthusiastically welcomed by colleagues at his graduation ceremony, but he was critical of the university, accusing it of failing to offer him adequate protection. In an interview after his release, Mahdawi called the government’s justification for his arrest “ridiculous,” stating, “A person who has vocally advocated for justice and peace is undermining U.S. policy?”
The Trump administration seeks to deport him by invoking a law that allows visas to be revoked on grounds of “adverse foreign policy consequences.” Mahdawi rejects all charges, claiming that his actions have been peaceful and in favor of justice.
Other student activists have been arrested on similar charges: Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia student, remains in custody in Louisiana after being arrested on March 8; Rumeysa Ozturk, a student at Tufts University, was instead released in April by order of a federal judge. These cases highlight growing government opposition to pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses.
