Palestinian Activist Detained by ICE in Vermont

Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian activist and legal permanent resident in the U.S., was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a naturalization interview in Vermont. His detention has sparked outrage among Vermont Democrats and his attorneys, who argue that the arrest is retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism and criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza. Mahdawi, a former Columbia University student, co-founded the Palestinian Student Union and has been vocal against the war in Gaza, leading several protests. His lawyers have filed a petition to prevent his deportation, asserting that his detention is unconstitutional and violates his First Amendment rights. This incident follows the arrest of his associate, Mahmoud Khalil, under a similar crackdown by the Trump administration targeting non-citizen students involved in campus protests. The arrest has been condemned as inhumane and illegal by Vermont’s congressional delegation, who demand Mahdawi's immediate release.