MANHATTAN — AN IMMIGRATION JUDGE terminated the removal proceedings against Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University graduate student and lawful permanent resident detained last year at his U.S. citizenship interview, New York Daily News reports.
Mahdawi, 35, was arrested in April 2025 after a naturalization interview in Vermont and held for more than two weeks before securing release on bail. His attorneys argued he was targeted because of pro-Palestinian speech. “Nearly a year ago, I was detained at my citizenship interview, not for breaking the law but for speaking against the genocide of Palestinians,” Mahdawi said.
An immigration judge ended the case after the administration failed to authenticate a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleging he threatened U.S. foreign policy interests.
The Department of Homeland Security said green cards can be revoked and signaled it may appeal the decision.
