Trump Crackdown on Activists: Mahdawi Case

Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student leader at Columbia University, was detained by U.S. immigration officials during a citizenship interview in Vermont, sparking protests and condemnation from lawmakers and rights groups. His arrest is seen as part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on pro-Palestinian activists, which some consider a violation of free speech rights. Mahdawi, a permanent U.S. resident since 2015, had been involved in organizing campus protests against the Gaza war. A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing his deportation. The Trump administration has defended its actions citing national security concerns related to foreign policy. Vermont lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have strongly criticized Mahdawi's detention, calling for his immediate release.