An immigration judge has blocked the Trump administration from deporting Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student and activist who led protests at Columbia University against the war in Gaza.
Judge Nina Froes terminated the deportation case due to a procedural error: government attorneys failed to properly certify an official document intended as evidence. The Trump administration retains the option to appeal the ruling.
Mahdawi Calls Ruling a Victory for Due Process
“I am grateful to the court for honoring the rule of law and holding the line against the government’s attempts to trample on due process,” Mahdawi stated through his attorneys. He described the decision as “an important step towards upholding what fear tried to destroy: the right to speak for peace and justice.”
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, characterized Mahdawi as a leader of “pro-terrorist riots” and asserted the Department’s intention to revoke his visa, stating, “No activist judge…is going to stop us from doing that.”
This ruling follows a similar decision last month, where an immigration judge blocked the deportation of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University graduate student, over an opinion piece criticizing her school’s response to the war in Gaza. The current decision represents a setback for the US government’s efforts to expel pro-Palestinian campus activists and others critical of Israel’s actions following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.
Legal Battles Continue
Mahdawi, born in a refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has been a legal permanent resident of the United States for ten years. He is currently pursuing a separate case in federal district court, arguing his initial detention was unlawful. The Trump administration has sought his deportation based on a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which asserts that non-citizens can be deported if their presence is deemed to undermine US foreign interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the judge’s decision?
Judge Nina Froes terminated the deportation case because government attorneys failed to properly certify a document they intended to apply as evidence.
What is the Department of Homeland Security’s response?
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, described Mahdawi as a leader of “pro-terrorist riots” and stated the Department intends to revoke his visa.
Could Mahdawi still be deported?
The Trump administration has the option to appeal the ruling, and could potentially refile its case against Mahdawi. The court’s decision was made “without prejudice,” meaning the administration could attempt to present a properly certified case.
As this case unfolds, what does it suggest about the intersection of political activism, immigration law, and the rights of non-citizens in the United States?
