Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student, was arrested and detained Monday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to a petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont.
The filing alleges that Mr. Mahdawi’s detention is a retaliatory action for his outspoken criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and his involvement in student protests.
Mahdawi’s attorneys say he was arrested and detained by Department of Homeland Security agents, even though he is a lawful permanent resident, his lawyers wrote.
The document names several high-ranking officials as respondents, including the Secretary of State, the Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
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According to the petition, Mahdawi, who has held a green card for ten years, was an active participant in protests on Columbia University’s campus until March 2024.
The filing asserts that his arrest comes after the adoption of a government policy, allegedly established on or before March 8, 2025, aimed at “punishing noncitizens” for speech and expressive conduct related to the Israel- Hamas war.
Attorneys for Mahdawi argue that the government’s actions violate his First Amendment rights, which protect his freedom of speech on matters of public concern.
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The petition states that the government has made clear its intention to “retaliate against individuals like Mahdawi who have advocated for a ceasefire and an end to bloodshed in Gaza.”
The petition for a writ of habeas corpus seeks to challenge the legality of Mahdawi’s detention and prevent his removal from the United States.
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