US appeals court overturns ruling that freed Columbia activist Mahdawi

A United States appeals court has reversed a previous ruling that had ordered the release of Columbia University activist Mohsen Mahdawi from immigration detention. This decision marks a significant legal victory for the Trump administration's broader campaign targeting foreign student protesters, particularly those advocating for Palestinian rights. The appeals court overturned a 2025 decision by US District Judge Geoffrey Crawford, who had ruled that Mahdawi possessed free speech rights akin to US citizens and criticized the administration's actions as causing "great harm." Mahdawi, who has remained out of custody while contesting his deportation, faces renewed proceedings after the Board of Immigration Appeals reinstated them in May. This followed an earlier decision by an immigration judge, Nina Froes, that had blocked the deportation attempt. Judge Froes had ruled that the government failed to meet its burden of proof and deemed key evidence inadmissible; she was subsequently terminated by the Trump administration. Mahdawi, a lawful permanent resident born in the occupied West Bank, was detained in April 2025 after what he believed was an interview for his US citizenship application. He was held for two weeks without being charged with any crime. In response to the reinstatement of deportation proceedings, Mahdawi accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the immigration system to suppress his political advocacy. He stated, "The government is trying to punish and deport me, a stateless Palestinian refugee from the occupied West Bank, because it opposes my peaceful advocacy for human dignity and equal rights for Palestinians." He affirmed his continued faith in justice. Mahdawi's case has become a focal point in the administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus activism, which includes deporting foreign students and scrutinizing online speech. The administration asserts that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the authority to seek deportation of non-citizens whose presence could negatively impact US foreign policy. Human rights lawyers contend that these actions constitute retaliation against constitutionally protected speech.

“

The government is trying to punish and deport me, a stateless Palestinian refugee from the occupied West Bank, because it opposes my peaceful advocacy for human dignity and equal rights for Palestinians.