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Federal judge orders release of detained Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi
30 April 2025 16:45 BST
A US federal judge on Wednesday ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian Columbia University student and lawful US resident in Vermont. The Trump administration had detained Mahdawi during his naturalisation interview. He was not charged with any crime.
His detention is part of a wider crackdown on pro-Palestinian students. The Trump administration has invoked a rare provision allowing the secretary of state to revoke visas and residency for individuals deemed threats to US foreign policy.
The judge said Mahdawi poses no flight risk and should remain in Vermont and attend classes at Columbia remotely. He is allowed to travel to New York City to meet with his legal team and go to Columbia.